By SARIT LASCHINSKY

Special to The Press

In addition to discussions about Strawberry Acres, North Whitehall supervisors addressed several other land development items during their May 3 meeting.

The first was a land development plan and waiver request for Scribbles and Drips, along Route 145, Laurys Station.

Engineer Bob Hoppes, representing the applicant, said the waiver was for the plan to proceed as a preliminary/final plan.

He said the property was purchased in 2010 to start the business.

Hoppes said the applicant was looking to put an extension on the current building but had not received a permit, and the township zoning officer put out a cease-and-desist order, which led to the current plan.

Supervisors and staff discussed whether traffic impact and recreation fees should be waived for the project, as there was some disagreement about the history of the property’s development, and how information about this development was received by the township.

Ultimately, the board approved the waiver request, as well as the land development plan itself.

Supervisors agreed traffic and recreation fees would be determined for the property and provided to the applicant.

Additionally, a waiver request and land development plan was heard for a proposed RV parking lot at 4420 Spring Hill Drive.

Engineer Steve Pany said the applicant was proposing an RV parking lot with 23 spaces, and this lot was the last one in a nearby subdivision which has yet to be approved.

Pany said all utilities and stormwater management facilities were in place from previous developments on the site, and the applicant was now requesting a waiver for preliminary/final approval.

Supervisors Mark Hills and Dennis Klusaritz noted there was a need for RV parking in the township and raised no objections.

Pany said parking in this lot would be for the public, not just development residents.

Planning commission Chairman Brian Horwith asked for clarification regarding a possible utility easement.

Pany replied the applicant was not asking for an easement waiver, but rather asked the township solicitor for her interpretation about whether an easement was necessary.

He said the township’s ordinance states there must be a need for an easement for the township to require one, and reiterated all utilities are in place.

But, Pany added, if the solicitor determined an easement is required, one will be provided.

After consulting with township Solicitor Lisa Young, the board approved the preliminary/final waiver and the land development plan, with a condition that a 5-foot wide drainage and utility easement be provided along the property frontage.

Two time extensions were approved for the Daniel Loch subdivision until Aug. 2, and for the Kornfeind Apartments until Dec. 9 to give time for plan reviews.

In other business, supervisors approved a revision to the township’s burning ordinance which revises the setback for firepits, chimineas and other fire sources to 20 feet from a structure, combustible item or vehicle.

The amendment also authorizes the fire marshal to declare a burn ban or fire warning, and to notify the township manager so the posting can be distributed.

Neffs Fire Chief Jim Steward said after the adoption of the current ordinance, the township had been receiving complaints from residents who owned firepits and chimineas who said the original 50-foot setback was too large and left them unable to use these items.

Steward said the amendment “brings those into reality.”

He also said when the state declares a high level of fire warning - such as low humidity conditions with high winds - the fire departments will now be able to immediately declare a burn ban instead of waiting for a meeting with supervisors.

Under announcements, township Secretary Brenda Norder said municipal offices would be closed May 31 for the Memorial Day holiday.

She also noted the continued Strawberry Acres conditional use hearing was scheduled for 7 p.m. May 27.

Township Manager Chris Garges said that online login and registration information will be posted a week before the meeting date.

Additionally, the board voted to award a number of paving bids to Asphalt Maintenance Solutions for crack seal, double-application bituminous seal coat and ultrathin bonded wearing course in the total amount of $733,750.

In his manager’s report, Garges made note of a resolution to authorize him and Norder to sign a Greenway, Trails and Recreation program grant in the amount of $20,766, which will be used to update and rebrand the entrance signs at the 10 recreation areas throughout the township.

The board approved the resolution, as well as a related motion to allow Garges to sign the letter of funding commitment for the grant.

Also in the report, Garges noted that a pair of teenagers had caused damage to one of the fields at Kolapechka Park.

He said they had been caught by police and the township will be seeking restitution.

Garges said the Parkland School District had requested two “bus stop ahead” signs be installed on Schneck Road near the Ridings at Parkland development.

The board approved the request.

Regarding a brake retarder study, which was discussed at previous meetings, Garges said the study was submitted to PennDOT, and that agency will be moving forward.

He said PennDOT requested North Whitehall reach out to South Whitehall Township about extending the study along Mauch Chunk Road toward Route 22, adding that talks between the townships are ongoing.

The next supervisors’ meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 7.