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Monday, October 14, 2019

Is Engineer Strong-Arming Green Pond Developer?

After years of debate, lengthy meetings and several plan revisions, Bethlehem Tp Commissioners voted over a year ago to approve an active senior community at Green Pond Country Club. But if you drive by, you'll see no homes being built. The environmentally sensitive wetlands next door, located in the middle of an Audubon-designated “Important Bird Area” called Green Pond Marsh, are still there. Migratory birds still visit. But no seniors. You might think developer Traditions of America is having trouble getting a highway occupancy permit or environmental approvals, but it has them. So what gives? Believe it or not, it's the Township's engineer, The Pidcock Company.

Late last week, Traditions took the rare step of filing a mandamus action in Northampton County Court. It is asking that the Court order Bethlehem Tp to replace Pidcock with its backup engineers, Arro Consulting. Since the developer already has all of its approvals, it essentially is accusing Pidcock of a shake down. In one instance, it billed for 35 hours to prepare a one-page email with eight comments. In another, multiple individuals charged to prepare for meetings they never attended. Pidcock billed 30 hours to review stormwater plans even though DEP had already issued a permit.

When Traditions complained, Pidcock stopped working on the project, effectively shutting it down. Though the Township convinced the engineering firm to return,  Traditions asserts Pidcock is now throwing up roadblocks to prevent development. It is insisting on using an outdated procedure for utility line  construction, which will add another two months of delay. 

I am in the process of seeking a public comment from Pidcock.

Back in 2012, former Comm'r Marty Zaarski complained about Pidcock's billing. He also groused about the mileage being charged, noting that Pidcock is located near Route 309, a forty mile round trip from the Township. "There are very, very good engineering firms within ten minutes of here," he observed.

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8 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 12:59 AM

    I feel their pain. Not! MZ

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 6:21 AM

    They have been overcharging in Bethlehem Twp and Palmer for years. The Townships hire them because they are obstructive and can pass the cost onto developers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 7:15 AM

    Law firms & engineering firms have been sucking local governments dollars for years and it appears that Pidcock see's the end of that tunnel in Bethlehem Twp and is going out with one last project.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 8:37 AM

    Agree with 7:15. Engineering Firms sucking local government dollars.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 9:21 AM

    Favorite saying from my former life in the billable hour world. "If you're not part of the solution, there is money to be made in prolonging the problem"

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 12:41 PM

    "Agree with 7:15. Engineering Firms sucking local government dollars."

    I'll bet the "dollars" you refer to are being sucked from the developers escrow account. Why shouldn't local residents get thorough engineering oversight of developments like TOA? A strong engineering company is looking out for the Township's best interests. You think TOA will care about the "dollars" local government will have to pay once they turn over a shoddily built development with crappy infrastructure that was approved by a less thorough engineering company?

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 2:56 PM

    What ever you say Brian!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousOctober 14, 2019 at 5:25 PM

    Is engineer strong-arming the Easton Area School District? That's what many folks would like to know. A land use appeal was filed by homeowners Eric & Jennifer Adams against Palmer Township in April. Pidcock is Palmer Township's engineer. An overview of the dispute is here:

    https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/2019/10/homeowner-school-board-should-reconsider-eminent-domain-in-drainage-dispute-opinion.html

    ReplyDelete

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