Fellowship Community, by far the largest senior facility in Whitehall Township, is now ready to embark on its final development.

At a hearing last week, the Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board of Adjustment granted Fellowship Community, known earlier as Fellowship Manor, a variance to the township's zoning ordinance requiring curbs or guard rails be installed next to parking areas.

Fellowship Community said the request was made for the residents' safety.

"Curbs would be a serious safety hazard," Robert Zentz, Fellowship Community CEO & president, told the zoning board. The average age of residents is between 84 and 85.

Zentz expects construction to begin in January for 22 independent-living units, 64 personal-care units and 12 independent-living apartments with an anticipated completion date in November 2013.

A community center seating as many as 350 people will be erected as part of the plan. It is expected to be completed in March 2014.

Located at Rural and Mauch Chunk roads with the main entrance off Rural Road, Fellowship Community has 101 personal-care beds, 121 beds for skilled nursing and 117 independent-living units.

The campus also features a park with a stream running through it.

The board was told the variance will allow the campus to be further developed in the same manner as its previous projects – without the concrete curbing.

The board granted the variance by a unanimous vote.