Concerns over a proposal allowing the expansion of a landfill adjacent to Lower Saucon Township were raised by residents at City Council Feb. 25.

At issue is the latest expansion of 117 acres of waste disposal on a newly released section of 189 acres of land. This will provide an additional lifespan of 30-plus years for the landfill.

A main concern was that this expansion will be too close to the Lehigh River.

Mayor William Reynolds said, “This is the exercising of an option that was agreed to 25 years ago,” and that it is in the township’s hands.

“I think that we are all disappointed that 25 years ago that decision was made. We are disappointed that it appears to be the current will of the current elected officials of Lower Saucon to move forward.” Reynolds concluded by saying, “we will utilize our leverage if the opportunity arises.”

Residents also voiced concerns over Hanover Apartments, a proposed upscale complex on the Bethlehem-Allentown border of West Broad Street. The proposal was approved by planners but is stiffly resisted by neighborhood residents. The subject was pulled from last week’s zoners meeting when city attorney Matthew Deschler arrived to oppose the deal on the city’s behalf. Paul Fondl presented President Michael Colon with a petition signed by 2,016 neighborhood residents opposed to the project.

Mary Jo Makoul went straight to Reynolds with her cellphone to his face, discussing the plans under zoning consideration. Reynolds remained calm.

Makoul told The Press that some sections of the large buildings are not accessible to emergency vehicles.

Fondl told The Press he believes there will be too many apartments in too small of an area. He also expressed concerns about the height of the complex and equipment on the roof.

Other concerns about Hanover Apartments include the five-story buildings blocking the sun, exacerbated traffic in an already fraught locale, and increased sewer needs and rainwater runoff.

The issue is returning to planners for more discussion.