At the Jan. 4 meeting of Northampton County Council, county executive Lamont McClure discussed warehouse proliferation and the ways the county has been fighting it.

Farmland and open space preservation is the county’s main tool.

However, Northampton County also funded a land-based freight study, giving municipalities “the tools to control their own destiny with respect to the development of warehouses.”

McClure appeared before council to urge them to rescind Ordinance 744, which provided tax breaks for certain deteriorated properties in Upper Mount Bethel township.

The River Pointe Logistics property was first awarded Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) status in 2018. It was renewed by council in 2023, subsequently vetoed by McClure before council overturned that veto.

He hoped to replace the ordinance with one that would allow the county to award LERTA status to the power plant property and other sites that could be used for manufacturing.

“It’s not a complete abandonment of the site … what it is an abandonment of is a tax break for gigantic warehouses that no one wants,” said McClure.

A vote on the ordinance will take place at council’s Feb. 1 meeting.

In other business, county controller Tara Zrinski was honored for her five years of service on council, as she was unable to attend her final council meeting in person.

“You’re energetic, you’re passionate, and whether I’ve agreed or disagreed with you on issues, I certainly could never question your passion and zeal for doing what you believe is the best interest for everybody,” said councilman Ron Heckman after presenting her with a plaque.

County council meets next Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 669 Washington Street.