Allen Township Board of Supervisors met July 25 to discuss phases 3, 4 and 5 for Willowbrook Farms.

The development proposed 508 homes, consisting of 256 apartments, 27 single-family homes and 225 townhouses along West Bullshead and Willowbrook roads.

Ray Grochowski, project manager, said the developer is not seeking an approval at this moment, but rather wanted to discuss sewer planning and fire access.

Originally, it was proposed all the sewer lines would be private, something the Department of Environmental Protection reportedly took issue with. The developer is now proposing the township take ownership of the sewer main interceptor that connects to Catasauqua Borough, as well as two small offshoots, according to Grochowksi. The individual collection systems will be owned by a homeowners association.

Supervisors made no official decision but provided direction for the planning module.

Supervisor Dale Hassler said he would be agreeable to the portions of the sewer line coming straight down from Willow Green condominiums, with no houses tied into the line.

Grochowski and the supervisors also discussed fire access to the development.

Hassler, who is also the township fire chief, felt the proposed cul-de-sacs, with a diameter of 75 feet, were too small for a firetruck to comfortably navigate. He noted the roads are also narrow.

The cul-de-sacs are surrounded by mountable curbs meant to be driven over by larger vehicles, according to township Engineer Stan Wojciechowski.

The emergency access road will be drivable grass with no gate or fence to slow firetrucks down. This type of composition will deter cars from using the “road” as a shortcut.

Updated preliminary plans will be brought back to the board at a future meeting.