The Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet July 21 on density and variance issues involving Nat Hyman's plans to convert a long-idled apparel mill in Egypt into studio apartments.

The issue of whether apartments can be part of that zoned area has dragged on in the courts but has now been decided. A ruling handed down by the Commonwealth Court has decided in favor of Hyman Properties.

Addressing a packed meeting room last month at the Whitehall Township Municipal Building, zoning board solicitor Jeffrey Matzkin delivered the ruling announcement, which didn't sit well with residents living near the 4159 Roosevelt St. property.

"The court has already ruled that apartments can go into that building," Matzkin said.

The zoning board at its next meeting will discuss parking, impervious coverage requirements, screening and recognition that the property is nonconforming with respect to distances or dimensions.

Asked if he was willing to compromise on the number of studio apartments planned, Hyman said he would consider 49, one less than the 50 projected, a number that did not delight the residents.

"The most regrettable thing is the polarization and the animosity. I can feel everyone's eyes burning through me," Hyman said. "There's never been a give and take. It's always been no, no, no. I can be amenable."

Tim Caffrey, who has been outspokenly opposed since the outset of the project, said Hyman's seeking exceptions to the township's zoning rules is akin to avoiding the law. He argued Hyman is putting an unwanted and unlawful change in the small-knit neighborhood of Egypt.

Caffrey conceded the building should be developed but asked why the residents have to give things up for that.

"We can't pick the building up and take it someplace else," said Mark Malkames, counsel for Hyman.