After the required public hearing Nov. 6, Hanover Township increased the fees for developers who need to come before the township zoning hearing board.

"We looked at various options at the last meeting and decided to go with an increase in the fixed fee," township Manager Sandra Pudliner said. The fee increased from $750 to $1,000.

Pudliner indicated the fee hike is driven by the increased cost to publish the legal notices for the meeting.

Residents who need to go before the zoning hearing board are charged only $50.

In other business, Lehigh Valley Sports Academy on East Race Street is moving. The property will be taken over by a plumbing supply firm.

"They will be looking for a signage variance," said Pudliner. The company needs the signage to help direct truck drivers making deliveries.

The new owner is expected to present the request at a zoning hearing board meeting scheduled for November. Zoning hearings are usually scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month, except for November when the meeting conflicts with Thanksgiving. Because of this, the hearing will take place at the council's Nov. 20 meeting.

Councilman Bruce Paulus asked Pudliner to investigate the trash at the back of the Subway franchise location in Valley Plaza.

"This isn't the first time that we have had the problem," he said. "The Dumpster was open and there was trash all over the area." Pudliner contacted code enforcement and will have the owners cited for the mess.

Also at the meeting, Margaret Szabo approached council for a status on the tree line that separates Sherwood Park from its residential neighbors.

The area is overgrown with natural vegetation including several older trees that have been attacked by tree boring insects and are hollowed out. One of the damaged trees recently fell and took out power lines feeding the neighborhood.

Szabo is asking that the vegetation be cleared as soon as possible.

In response, public works Director Jeffry Mouer replied that once the board gives approval, he will be ready to proceed. He did ask that the township wait until later in the season when the vegetation naturally dies back.

A resident whose property borders Sherwood Park offered to donate part of his property to the township if the township constructs a walkway to the park. According to Pudliner, people using the park cut through his private property to get to the park. He suggested a walkway might reduce the number of trespassers.

According to Mouer, there are no plans in place and the walkway would need to be ADA-compliant. Paulus asked that the township act quickly on the request.

"If we have someone willing to donate property to the township, we should take advantage of the offer," he said.

Pudliner reported that all the work on the municipal building is now completed, including the paving of the parking lot and repaving on Grove Road.