Strawberry Acres Development Opposed by Neighbors

A standing room-only crowd opposed to the proposed Strawberry Acres townhouse development was audibly disappointed Monday when it learned the developer was not at the North Whitehall Township Board of Supervisors meeting.

The owners, 5077 Overlook Road LLC, proposed building a 120-unit townhouse development for people 55 and older on the 142-acre Strawberry Acres farm on Overlook Road in Laurys Station.

The developer would need to apply for a variance to permit denser housing because the area is zoned agricultural/residential, which allows up to 90 units.

The owners were granted a 60-day extension and are scheduled to appear at a public hearing at the board of supervisors on Aug. 5 to ask for permission to allow a conditional use of the property.

"I think they realize the plan they submitted was substantially overdevelopment of the site," Vice Chairman Steve Pany said to applause.

"We understand the sentiment of our residents. It's very important that the board retain the character of that neighborhood and that's what we intend to do," he said.

Pany said the owners plan to modify their proposal and resubmit it to the Planning Commission. At its May 28 meeting, the six-member planning commission was divided over whether to recommend the 120-unit development to the supervisors.

The area's zoning permits an overlay district for a 55+ community.

Numerous residents from Jendy Estates and Laurelwood were urged to attend Monday's meeting after they received a leaflet warning them of the potential odor problems a sewage treatment plant for the proposed development could create.

The developers will need to submit sewer plans, which could be either a septic system or a small sewer treatment plant, according to Township Manager Jeff Bartlett.