BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — An Allentown builder is proposing 108 single-family homes and townhouses on one of the township's last remaining farm properties.
The township planning commission Monday night discussed the preliminary plan for the 52-acre Miller Farm site at 3107 Farmersville Road, across the road from the township park and community center.
Planners took no action, ultimately tabling the application for administrative review.
- The Fields at Farmersville proposal calls for 108 single-family homes and townhouses at 3107 Farmersville Road
- The property is across the road from the township park and community center
- The planning commission tabled the preliminary plan for administrative review
The discussion comes following a former proposal for the site that included 152 units, including apartments. Apartments are no longer part of the development, known as the Fields at Farmersville.
Property review
David Wilson, geographic discipline lead with Colliers Engineering and Design representing developer Kay Builders, said there needs to be further discussion with PPL Electric Utilities regarding their accommodations on the property, including two overhead transmission lines.
“We will be making some adjustments to the layout. In terms of the current depth, density and layout on the plans, there will be some changes due to the PPL right-of-way.”David Wilson, geographic discipline lead with Colliers Engineering and Design
“We will be making some adjustments to the layout,” Wilson said. “In terms of the current depth, density and layout on the plans, there will be some changes due to the PPL right-of-way.”
Two intermittent streams are on the property, including the Nancy Run creek and another connecting tributary that Wilson said is believed to originate from a stormwater basin to the southwest.
Any homes would be located outside of the respective floodplain areas, Wilson said.
Planning commission Chairman Leslie Walker said if plans are approved, he wants homebuyers to be made aware of potential floodplain restrictions regarding fences and other added structures.
Wilson said a sanitary sewer line that can be connected to passes through the property, and a water main runs off Farmersville Road.
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will also complete a standard planning and stormwater review. Wilson’s firm is waiting for the results, he said.
Wilson also said paperwork will be submitted to the Northampton County Conservation District, but that will take some time to complete.
He added his team plans to be in touch with the Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority as well as the Bethlehem Area School District regarding the potential placement of bus routes and stops in that area.
The builder is willing to extend sidewalk access along Farmersville Road to connect to nearby Municipal Park, he said.
Planning commission member Barry Roth said the developer and others need to take the barn on the farm property into account.
“That’s one of the last historical structures in this town. We need to start figuring out how to keep that.”Barry Roth, planning commission member
“That’s one of the last historical structures in this town,” Roth said. “We need to start figuring out how to keep that.”
Other business
Earlier in the meeting, the planning commission discussed and tabled the final plan approval for a new medical office building at Easton Avenue and Farmersville Road.
St. Luke's University Health Network plans a 45,048-square-foot, two-story building on a 5.3-acre lot.
Since this facility wouldn't provide for overnight stays, the property wouldn’t be considered a hospital, the applicant said.
Township resident Tom Keefer said if surgeries of any type were performed, the location would have to be legally considered a hospital.
Township Solicitor Anthony Giovannini said he and other staff are currently reviewing the official definition of “hospital” as it pertains to the proposed development.
