By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

North Whitehall supervisors, during their Nov. 6 meeting, approved adding 104.08 acres to the township’s Agricultural Security Area.

Previously, during the board’s June 5 meeting, Donna Wright, Lehigh County Farm Preservation Specialist explained that a security area gives farmland owners protection against local ordinances, nuisance lawsuits, regulations and some condemnation.

Property needs to be in an Agricultural Security Area to be preserved.

Township Secretary Jessica Koenig said Whitehall Township does not have its own Ag Security Area and that the Weinhofer farm has gone through the 180-day waiting period.

There are three parcels, listed under Weinhofer Farms LLC, totaling 104.08 acres along Spruce and Roosevelt Streets in Whitehall.

The owners are Lisa and John Weinhofer.

Township Manager Randy Cope explained that because Whitehall Township doesn’t have an Ag Security Area, other surrounding communities can help.

There are no funds used from North Whitehall. Lehigh County funds the program. North Whitehall has an active board, he explained.

“This is basically a formality to help our neighbors.” Cope said.

Cope also noted the township received confirmation from Lehigh County that they will be going to settlement for the Hoffman farm on Dec. 6. The farm will be officially preserved by the end of the year.

“Some very exciting news for the township and our residents,” Cope said, thanking staff, the preservation board and supervisors.

He added the program has started to pay off and several new Ag Security applications have been submitted over this year.