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The Home News Your Local News
MARCH 17-23, 2016
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Golden Award for Four Masons
Easter section Page 2
Four members of Manoquesy Lodge #413, Free & Accepted Masons, of Bath, received their golden award of honor from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on Thursday night. Receiving the 50-year membership pins were (l-r) Larry G. Newhard, Thomas Hahn, Robert Werner and Gordon W. Bartholomew. They are flanked on the left by Worshipful Master Patrick Ridenour and on right by District Deputy Grand Master John E. Nixon of the 50th Masonic District, who presented the pins. A fifth member to receive the pin, Leonard Altemose, was unable to be present. Former District Deputy Grand Master Donald Masters of the 9th Masonic District presented a program on his experiences. Founded in 1868, the Bath lodge has 228 members. – Home News photo
Lehigh Twsp. zoning changes Allow for Jaindl development
by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
After hearing additional positive and negative comments regarding a proposed re-development of the Mary Immaculate Seminary property, the Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 8 approved three zoning changes that will make it possible. They include: (1) Amending Chapter 180, zoning to establish a Planned Resort Residential Community [PRRC] zoning district; (2) Amending various sections of Chapter 147, Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance, including design standards within the PRRC zoning district, and (3) Amending Chapter 138,
Stormwater Management as it pertains to the PRRC zoning district. Although no formal plan has been submitted by developer David Jaindl, tentatively he told the board several months ago what he intends to do with the 278-acre property: 509 dwelling units, including multi- and single-family homes along with some for age-restricted use, blended with a shopping village surrounding the abandoned seminary which would feature apartments above retail shops. Frank Vitovitch read a threepage petition signed by 222 people opposing the development, based on their concerns about economic impact, health and
safety, environment, and quality of life. Supervisors chairman Daryl Snover made it clear at the onset that he didn’t want a “rehash” of the comments heard at the Feb. 23 hearing, but still there was some repetition. Steve Kiss of Danielsville urged the board to get a commitment from Jaindl to pay for a new sewage treatment plant for the development, with a required storage capacity, and to consult the Pa. DEP before approving the zoning changes. He said he didn’t want the same mistakes that were made 20 years ago with Heritage Village. Snover said that when there is a plan they will get that commit-
610-759-6214
ment. He and fellow supervisor Dell Grove insisted, “There is no plan.” The property is still owned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A resident questioned why the board would change the zoning on a property for Jaindl when he doesn’t own it yet. Snover said he favors commercial use for the property because it would bring money into the township. Having just homes brings in taxation, but require service as well. “Would you just let the seminary building go to waste? No one else has come forward with the money to buy that property.”
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619 Moorestown Dr., Bath, PA 18014 (Rt. 512)
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