The East Allen Township Board of Supervisors’ Oct. 28 workshop meeting began with a zoning hearing for 7111 Beth-Bath Pike.

The board heard extensive testimony from the participants.

At issue was a request for a zoning change to allow for the development of 112 senior citizen housing units on a 25-acre tract of land adjacent to an existing senior citizen housing development on Route 512 in the township.

One zoning change objector’s representative pointed out her client would lose about an acre of his current 15-acre plot if the zoning change is approved. The acre was noted to have a speculative value of about $300,000 the land owner would forfeit because of the zoning change.

The zoning change requester said East Allen needs more affordable senior housing. He noted the current senior housing is high end and high priced, excluding some local residents from remaining in the township.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the board decided to act on the request at the Nov. 10 meeting because there were many exhibits and documents the board needed to review and understand before moving forward with a vote.

In another property matter, the board discussed the Rock Lehigh Valley curative amendment hearing 19-035. It was noted there have been six hearings on this matter to date.

A curative amendment is challenged by a landowner on substantive grounds over the validity of a zoning ordinance that prohibits or restricts the use or development of the property owner’s land.

In this case, the requester offered four critiques of the zoning ordinance and is asking for a change in zoning for a 155-acre tract of land from agricultural to industrial. There are plans to possibly build two 1-million-square-foot warehouses on the 155-acre tract if the property is rezoned.

The board voted to dispute the four challenges to zoning ordinances offered by the requester. No other action was taken.

The board’s next agenda item was to discuss draft conditions for the Northampton Area School District conditional use request. Issues identified were drainage, traffic congestion, traffic getting in and out of the future school campus and maintaining archaeological artifacts.

There was a long discussion about recent flooding in the project’s area after an intense storm. It was noted the large amount of impervious cover expected on the future school’s property could lead to stormwater runoff problems for residents around the school complex.

It was explained a strong thunderstorm with a heavy rain is the most challenging time during early construction. It is anticipated stormwater runoff will be properly addressed as the project develops.

Numerous studies such as traffic studies and other evaluations will occur in the future as the project develops.

The board appointed Garren Moll as a member of the zoning hearing board and appointed Martin Chamberlain as an alternate to the zoning hearing board.

Township Manager Brent Green reported there is a significant surplus in the budget, and he does not expect a tax increase in the 2022 budget.

The next meeting of the East Allen Township Board of Supervisors is 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the township municipal building, 5344 Nor-Bath Blvd. It is expected to be a hybrid meeting, both in person and virtual. Visit eatwp.org for the access codes to view virtually.