In its second public hearing over the Farmhouse Mews townhouse project off Airport Road, East Allen Township officials listened to hours of comments and concerns about the project proposed by PA Venture Capital, Inc.

Townhouses proposed in the project will be built by Ryan Homes, and PA Venture Capital will provide financing.

The main concern seems to be the number of units in the project. Housing density is determined by the amount of buildable acres available. Buildable acres are calculated by taking into consideration property reserved for roads, detention ponds and, in this case, a commercial strip mall. The plan proposed by the developer meets the zoning requirements for density.

Under the developer's plan, internal streets in the project are 28 feet wide. The township would like to see wider streets to accommodate fire trucks and to allow for temporary parking on the streets. However, increasing the width of the streets would change the density calculation and make the project economically less feasible.

The plan for the projects includes an access road through the site that the township assumes would be used as a shortcut from Jacksonville Road. The developer contends that traffic-calming devices (road bumps) could be used to deter traffic if it becomes a problem.

Rules in the zoning ordinance hamper reaching an agreement. A pragmatic solution might be to allow the increased road width while keeping the number of units in place. A deviation from the existing plan would require a variance.

The township concluded the information-gathering stage at its regular meeting. At the workshop session scheduled for June 10, the intent is to lay out the various options to the township and categorize concerns outlined by citizens and render a decision.

In other action, Solicitor Joseph Piperato will revise certain proposed changes to portions of the township's agreement with Bethlehem Water Authority. Roger Unangst, chairman of the board of supervisors, expressed his concerns over language in the proposed changes. Unangst is opposed to requiring anyone that uses a functioning well to switch to the new water system.

Supervisors noted that agricultural uses do not need chlorinated water. Unangst's interpretation of the proposed revised language could require compliance with the water agreement. The intent of the agreement with Bethlehem Water is to require new building owners to connect to the system. The supervisors want to see a clear definition of a new building. An agricultural storage unit on an existing farm cannot be construed as an opening to require the whole farm to be hooked to the city water system.

Piperato will look into the language to make refinements. Once the language is approved, the changes will be advertised. The original target date for approval, June 25, may be missed.