Planning Commission

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The South Whitehall Township Planning Commission is a seven-member board comprised of Township residents. Each of the members are appointed by the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners and serve four-year terms or until they are replaced by the BOC. They serve voluntarily without pay.

 

Planning Commission Members

 

  • David Wilson  | Chairman (Term expires 12/2022)
  • Brian Hite  | Vice Chairman (Term expires 4/2026)
  • Trevor Dombach  | Member (Term expires 4/2024)
  • Timothy Dugan | Asst Secretary (Term expires 4/2026)
  • Todd FahringerMember (Term expires 6/2027)
  • Diane E. Kelly  | Member (Term expires 7/2022)
  • Mark Leuthe  | Member (Term expires 7/2025)
  • Anthony Tallarida  | Assistant Engineer
  • Jennifer Alderfer, Director of Legal Affairs  |  Solicitor

 

If you are interested in serving on this Commission, please click on the Volunteer Board Member Application link below to print out, complete, and return to South Whitehall Township as directed on the form. There is (0) vacancy at this time.

Volunteer Board Member Application Form

Letter of Intent for Board Reappointment Form

 

Please send any communications for the Planning Commission to David Manhardt, Director of Community Development.

 


 About the Board

The great bulk of the subject matter studied by the Planning Commission pertains to the suitability of land development and subdivision plans; however, it also reviews proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, proposed changes to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan revisions, rezoning petitions, and conditional use applications.

The subject matter to be considered by the Planning Commission is advertised in the newspaper, as a Public Notice in the classified ads section, two weeks, and again one week, before the meeting. Public Notices are also posted on this web site. As a courtesy, ten days before a meeting, the Township will attempt to send property owners within 300 feet of a proposed land development a copy of the Public Notice by mail.

Subdivision and Land Development applications must be submitted by the published cut-off date. Resubmitted plans may be received after the published cut-off date, with the prior agreement of staff and Township Engineer. There can be no guarantee, however, that plans submitted will be deemed sufficient for a review by the Planning Commission. Also, circumstances such as: the volume of plans to be considered, the availability of a quorum, or bad weather can affect the possibility of having a review on the desired date. The members do their best to accommodate expeditious review; however, most plans require more than one meeting before a recommendation can be rendered.

The Planning Commission is advisory to the Board of Commissioners. After it completes its own deliberations, the Planning Commission forwards its recommendation on to the Board of Commissioners for final disposition. 

The Planning Commission’s annual reports to the Board of Commissioners can be found here: 

2021 Report

2022 Report

2023 Report

 


Meeting Schedule and Information

All meetings are open to the public.  

This Board meets at 7:00 PM in the Public Meeting Room of the Township Municipal Building , 4444 Walbert Avenue and virtually via the link on the event or through the Planning Commission GoToMeeting Room.  The Planning Commission generally meets on the second Thursday of each month; but there may be cancellations of regularly scheduled meetings or extra meetings scheduled for emergency purposes and heavy case loads.

Meeting Recordings:  Meeting recordings can be accessed by visiting the South Whitehall Township Planning Commission Meeting Recordings Playlist.  You may also access the recordings by clicking on the specific event below and following the link found on the event page.

Meeting Documents:  Recent Planning Commission meeting documents are available in the calendar list below.  All meeting documents since February 2020 can be found in the "Planning Commission Documents" folders located at the upper left corner of this page.

Meeting Dates and Information:

Planning Commission Meeting (Application Cut-Off Date 2/1/24)

Access the meeting recording HERE.

 

Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission of South Whitehall Township will meet in the Township Municipal Building located at 4444 Walbert Avenue, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, on Thursday March 14, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of conducting a public meeting to discuss the following, and any other business brought before the Board.  The meeting will also be streamed live through GoToMeeting.  Due to the limitations of the facility, public comment may or may not be available for remote viewers.  To access though your computer, go to https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/757430189.  To access the meeting through your phone, dial 1-224-501-3412 and, when prompted, enter 757 430 189.

Click here to download the Agenda

Click here to download the Agenda Information Packet

 

NESTLE PURINA WASTEWATER TREATMENT UPGRADES
MAJOR PLAN 2021-102
REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY/FINAL PLAN REVIEW

An application to further develop the properties located at 2050 Pope Road and 4535 Huckleberry Road. On 2050 Pope Road, the plan proposes the construction of a 21,921 square foot wastewater treatment building on the current site of Waste Disposal Facility Holding Basin 1B, as well as ancillary tanks and piping, on approximately 4 acres of the 114.6-acre tract.  The plan proposes that the treated effluent is to be rerouted from its current discharge point into an unnamed tributary to the Jordan Creek.  The treated effluent is proposed to be piped north across the remainder of 2050 Pope Road, under Huckleberry Road, and north across 4535 Huckleberry Road to discharge directly into the Jordan Creek.  The plan proposes the construction of a gate and driveway on 4535 Huckleberry Road to support monitoring and property maintenance. 2050 Pope Road is zoned IC-1 Industrial-Commercial-1 (Special Height Limitation).  4535 Huckleberry Road is zoned RR-2 Rural Residential-2.  Nestle Purina Petcare Company is the owner and applicant.

Click here to download the Plan Set

Click here to download the Agenda Information Packet Excerpt

 

DORNEY PARK PROJECT 2024
MAJOR PLAN 2023-101
REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY/FINAL PLAN REVIEW

An amended application to further develop the property located at 3830 Dorney Park Road.  The plan proposes to construct a new 161.67-foot attraction on the site of the Stinger Roller Coaster just north of the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Dorney Park Road on 2.7-acre portion the 196-acre parcel, construct an approximately 450 square foot addition to “Chef’s Grille”, and construct an approximately 300 square foot concession stand to the immediate east of the Main Midway.  The property is served by public water and sewer and is zoned Commercial Recreation CR.  Dorney Park LLC is the owner and applicant.

Click here to download the Plan Set

Click here to download the Agenda Information Packet Excerpt

 

An Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance Section 350-42(e) Fences and Retaining Walls to Require a Zoning Permit for All Fences and Retaining Walls

Click here to download the Agenda Information Packet Excerpt

 

Comprehensive Plan Re-examination Report

Click here to download the Agenda Information Packet Excerpt

 

All properties are located in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Copies of plans, applications and supporting documents are available for public inspection upon request.
Gregg Adams, Planner, Community Development Department

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