The soil testing has been completed for septic areas for the existing home, wine tasting, restaurant and banquet hall at the O’Rourke Vineyard and Winery, according to a planning commission letter submitted to the Upper Milford Township Supervisors Oct. 3.

According to Elizabeth O’Rourke in a recent interview, she and her husband plan to convert an old barn to include a tasting room, possibly a small café and develop a venue suitable for small weddings and parties.

Last year the couple had struggled to get township permission to build a 60-by-70-foot production barn to process the annual grape harvest. O’Rourke said they are just now finishing the grape harvest for the season. They market their wine under the Domaine Pterion label.

The Upper Milford Township Planning Commission, according to correspondence filed by Planning Coordinator Brian Miller, has reviewed the proposed Emmaus Borough amendment to the official zoning map changing the zoning classification of 300 Furnace St. from light industrial and conservation residential to high density residential classification.

Also re-designated is the property at 326 S. Second St., which went from conservation residential to the high-density residential classification.

However, Miller cautioned the new mapping designation may not reflect future land use because the mapping relied heavily on aerial photography showing what appears to be existing woodland, but is overgrown brush and trees growing over what was once a blighted industrial area.

According to the correspondence, “The proposed use will require environmental cleanup of the property.”

In other business, supervisors approved payments which included $10,789.25 to the Emmaus Public Library for a membership fee and $17,623.50 to Ott Consulting, Inc.