The plan approves the construction 229 homes on a vacant tract at Farmersville and Green Pond roads, adjacent to Green Pond Country Club. It's been controversial because it's also next to environmentally sensitive wetlands, in the middle of an Audubon-designated “Important Bird Area” called Green Pond Marsh.
Those who supported this project argued that, without the infusion of cash from this active senior community, Green Pond Country Club would have no choice but to close. The golf course was heralded as an asset used by local high schools and colleges and as a place where inner-city children can learn play golf. TOA principal David Biddison had said the township would benefit in the form of a $343,500 recreation fee, $250,000 in annual property taxes and $500,000 in realty transfer taxes. The school district would also receive $1.9 million in taxes from a development with no children.) “Don’t throw out the good for the perfect,” said Anthony Liberatori.
Those opposed argued that Green Pond Marsh is irreplaceable. That word was repeated by nearly every person who spoke against the development. Paul Jordan, who lives across the street at what he calls “ground zero,” said the mere sight of the marsh is spectacular, and noted a bald eagle was spotted there just the previous weekend. “There is nowhere else that these birds can go,” said the Audubon’s Barbara Malt, who said the nearest resource is at least 25 miles away. Ann Fessler, who teaches fifth grade at Moravian Academy, called it ia “pristine sanctuary.” She said she would instantly choose it over a golf course or wedding venue. “Once it’s compromised, it can never be remediated,” said Michael Adams, who grew up in the township. It is not just a local resource. It is a regional resource.” Irene Torres, a local artist, said. “My heart lives in Green Pond.” Kathy Glagola noted that only two percent of Pennsylvania consists of wetlands.
Though this controversial development was the subject of numerous well-attended meetings and helped elect two Commissioners, only a handful of residents was present for the final vote. None of them spoke. Also present were Easton Attorneys Tom and Charles Elliott, who represent Save Green Pond.
Construction is expected next Spring.
13 comments:
An incalculable loss.
An unfathomable tragedy.
Tom Nolan was absent on a very important vote in is zone? What a disgrace!!! He needs to step down if he can't show up and vote on this project that has been going on for how many years??? Future generations of residents will be paying the price in increased traffic, congestion and the loss of serenity, Pussy!
Years from now people will ask one another ,What were these people thinking when they ruined the bird sanctuary? The answer will be ,It was for the love of profit and money-it was greed! Have at it you scoundrels!
Bethlehem Twp officials are already conspiring ways in which to spend their windfall, no questions asked! Subsidize the money pit community center, carports, new buildings, furniture, weekly staff lunches, tool purchases with no inventory controls, sporty new vehicles for their pleasure of simply riding around doing nothing or going to lunch. Well, you get the idea...
"Tom Nolan was absent on a very important vote in is zone?" Before condemning him, find out why he was absent. he missed the last meeting, too, and may be dealing with a personal matter.
The joke will be on the staff and elected officials of Bethlehem Township as they have to put up with these residents for the next 10 years and beyond. They will all have paid way too much money for the houses, will all be mad at TOA for unanticipated problems and broken promises, will have constant complaints to the Township about every little thing in the community, will have unreasonable service demands and expectations etc.
This project will be a winner. Tax base and no crime from the venue. They should have school tax abatement however. It is not fair that people that retire and have paid all those years send their money to an unregulated rat hole and don’t produce kids into system anymore.. Probably however the developers should have accommodations for housing a port for EMS. So they can hang out there in that nice area between calls rather than so in a stagnation of a station . It makes no difference where they stage . It would be a selling point for older people ,knowing the EMS was around a lot. Other developments in area will be Junk homes in 20 years ,this will be classy . One contractor builds homes with void spaces as fake dormers and no real 2x 4s in the structure. This type of building of a home ,goes to the ground in minutes,if a fire occurs or a lighting strike happens. This project will be a positive development ,non of us wouldn’t want to live there.
How much do you want to bet they will wither run out of money part way through construction or won't be able to fill half the units?
Destroying an important bird habitat to build a retirement community and save a failing golf course is beyond dumb. It's not like there is a shortage of golf courses. 229 expensive homes for old people in a location where the most interesting thing is the pond they are going to ruin.
TOA is very well financed and is highly successful. I understand that this is a tragedy for many, but this firm is very responsible and won't leave anyone high and ... wet.
Agreed, I would not worry about TOA, they have to be one of if not the most successful builder anywhere around here, they are able to sell these overpriced geezerboxes as fast as they can build them to well off pensioners from NJ & NY who think $450,000+ purchase price and $7,500/yr. taxes is a relative bargain. Their development off Lanark Road in Upper Saucon went from a cornfield to almost completely full of houses in like a year.
Personally my worry is what happens to these 55+ developments 15-25 years from now when the boomers die off. However, the same doom has been predicted for the larger colonial-type homes on suburban lots that the boomers are now selling off to buy these geezerboxes, and there isn't much sign of that bust happening, so I don't know what to believe may happen in the market.
Typical Bethlehem Twp. They have always been abut the cash and screw the outcomes. The T2wp. was once a pretty area and now it is an overbuilt flood zone. They are terrible officials and will do anything for a dollar.
8:58 AM Anon must be a Township current or former staffer.
Can't wait for more traffic on William Penn Highway.
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