Hanover Addresses Warehouse Visibility Concerns

Hanover Township manager Jay Finnigan

Approximately 30 people, most of them residents of Traditions of America's (TOA) 241-home Jaindl Boulevard active senior development, attended Hanover Township's April 12 meeting to complain again about the visibility across the street. At the March 22, they claimed they had been misled before having purchasing their homes and again by an engineer at a Zoning hearing. "We need some help," said resident Richard Brand.

They got it. Township Manager Jay Finnigan told TOA residents he had looked into their concerns about the visibility of the warehouse from their development. As he explained two weeks before, he indicated the height of this building is actually two feet less than what the plan authorized, but he also noted that two deciduous trees were missing from the approved plan. He indicated that the remaining trees were planted last Fall, that the roots will develop over the Summer, and they should provide some buffering. But he cautioned that these are deciduous trees. For "significant" periods during the year, the trees will be bare, making the industrial business more visible.

Finnigan conducted had several meetings with the developer of the project, who agreed to plant 26 white pine, white spruce and Douglas firs. They will be six feet at planting, and can grow as high as 50'. he provided a plan to Phil Hoffman, who was acting as a spokesperson for TOA residents, showing where the trees will be planted.

In addition to these evergreen,the developer will plant 12 leatherleaf viberniums, an expansive and bushy evergreen that can also grow as high as 50'

The developer has committed to planting this additional landscaping in early May.

Finnigan also produced a plan showing the berm as it exists, and it conforms with the approved plan. Finnigan discussed the possibility of widening the berm and elevating it, but was told it would be impossible. Trees already planted would have to be ripped out and it would erode.

Hoffman said that he still wanted "more relief" because the visibility of the warehouse is "having an impact on our community."

Finnigan also addressed claims made by residents that they had been misled by TOA Realtors that no other development was planned around their senior community. He indicated that each property owner received and signed for a packet of information at the time of their purchase warning that "the land surrounding the site is zoned wither commercial or light industrial and business or other uses as depicted on the zoning map."

Hoffman then went on to say, as he did at the last meeting, "We pay taxes and get nothing for our taxes except advice and help."

Finnigan challenged that assertion. "You get the same services every resident in the Township gets, with the exception that we don't plow your streets , we don't pick up your leaves and we don't pick up your yard waste. You have the our streets, you have the use of our traffic signals, you have the use of our parks, you have the use of our sidewalks, you have the use of police, fire"

Hoffman said police protection is supplied by the County, and Finnigan corrected that, noting that the Township pays $1.7 million per year for police protection.

Pektor Pitches Office Park Next to Route 33

Lou Pektor

At a time when Bethlehem Township residents have complained loudly to Commissioners about traffic and storm waters, developer Lou Pektor has pitched yet another building project. This one is called Mill Creek Corporate Center, though there's no creek by that name in the township. Instead of straddling a stream, this 72-acre development is located along Route 33, extending from the William Penn Highway north to Church Road. It includes ten of what Pektor calls "Class A" office buildings, to be built over ten years, and occupy 550,000 to 600,000 sq ft.

"Stormwater is an issue; traffic is a huge issue," Pektor conceded.  He indicated that he plans to set aside 15-20 acres for open space, though he acknowledged that land will be used to address stormwater.

Over 60% of the project will be impervious coverage. "In looking at this, I just see black top," lamented Martin Zawarski. He suggested that, instead of all those parking lots, the developer should construct a garage.

"I can't sit here and say we can afford to do it," responded Pektor. The "we" to who Pektor referred is PennCap Properties, which touts itself as "the leading owner and operator of class 'A' office and flex properties in the Lehigh Valley." Its portfolio includes 32 properties comprising approximately 1.4 million sq ft of office and office/flex space located in six corporate office parks within the Lehigh Valley.

Phil Barnard challenged Pektor to explain what benefits this development would bring to the township.

"125 million," was Pektor's reply. "We'll not create one child," he added, referring to the drain that residential dwellings place on school districts.

"We have an area problem," Tom Nolan told Pektor. Ticking off some planned and existing development, Nolan worries about how to address the William Penn Highway. He added there is no public sewer or water.  

Marc Holliday: How to Develop Urban Offices Without a NIZ

Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green Realty Corp., is not just any landlord. With over 28 million square feet in Midtown, he is the largest office landlord in New York City. He's paid almost as much as a professional athlete, with a $10.32 million, 6-year package.

For good reason, too. In a challenging real estate market, its FFO (funds from operations) rose 17% over the last quarter of 2011, to $90.3 million.

A Lehigh grad, Holliday will return to his alma mater on Wednesday, February 29, to explain how office development is done in a real city. Without an NIZ.

If you'd like to go, call 610-758-4768 or email sds210@lehigh.edu, and see if you can wrangle an invitation.

Salisbury's Southbury Park: 100 Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Land Down the Tube

Dan Poresky and the Sierra Club's Lehigh Valley chapter have some deep concerns about the proposed Southbury Park residential subdivision. For one thing, it's located on 100 acres of environmentally-sensitive South Mountain. And a Lehigh County judge has already overruled a Salisbury Township Commissioners' decision to grant a variance for this development, calling it an "abuse of discretion."

Tonight, at 7 PM, the state DEP will consider a developer request to divert construction activity stormwater right into Trout Creek and Black River. The purpose of tonight's meeting is to solicit public comment and concerns. This meeting will take place at Salisbury Twp. High School Auditorium, (off Emaus Ave near S. 4th St.)

Why should you care?

1) Because the highlands of South Mountain are a natural resource that Federal and State Agencies have named as worthy of conservation

2) Because you feel a responsibility toward the inheritance we leave future generations, not just today’s privileged interests

3) Because you’re concerned about the potential for more flooding in the area and the degradation of Trout Creek, one of the state’s few remaining high quality streams.

Be Sure to Thank Your Local Developers and the LVPC

The LVPC wants to pave even more roads and is projecting even more development:

And for the third time in two years, we have this:

No Big Macs today!