Preceding the Lehigh Township supervisors’ meeting Dec. 22, a public hearing was held for three ordinances - zoning, subdivision and land development, and stormwater - affecting the Mary Immaculate property off Cherryville Road.

Solicitor David Backenstoe said the zoning change was to create a Planned Resort Residential Community (PRRC) zone. The SALDO changes were for design elements, and stormwater requirements were to be for the PRRC zone.

Backenstoe said the hearing was held to consider the ordinances, concepts and statements of residents.

The changes were advertised, and the land was posted by township Manager Alice Rehrig and David Jaindl’s engineer. In addition to meeting the requirements, information was given to the surrounding communities and the school district. The only response was from Allen Township Manager Ilene Eckhart, who reminded Lehigh of its cluster ordinance and a study done on open space.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission shared comments on all three ordinances.

When boards pass amendments, they are usually for a single issue, said Backenstoe, but these refer to a new zoning district. There will be 509 residential homes of several types on 275 acres. Another 20 acres will be dedicated to commercial use.

The biggest issue raised was traffic. Commercial use is expected to create an extra 206 trips a day. Nonresidential uses permitted would be golf courses, greenhouses, a winery and more. The existing structure, the seminary, would house things like continual care, medical offices, a helicopter pad, restaurants and a tavern. It is possible the lower floor of the seminary will be commercial with residential uses on the second floor. There will be age-qualified units.

There was significant dialogue with the planning commission. Open space will be 50 percent, with 25 percent of that as common open space. There will be a buffer along Cherryville Road.

Public water and sewer will be required.

Resident Frank Vitovitch had concerns with the 206 extra trips for commercial use. He also asked if the schools would be sufficient. Backenstoe said a lot of the homes will be for seniors without children and added that the school district chose not to respond to information provided by the township.

The LVPC sees it as a bedroom community in a rural area.

Resident Robert Mentzell said he did a private road study and found the 2.5 miles to Treichlers was never intended to carry more traffic than it does now. He suggested Jaindl pay for road improvements.

Resident Bill Hart said he would like to see 100-foot setbacks on residential and 150-foot setbacks on nonresidential properties.

Resident Jeff Schwenk said people came here 25 to 30 years ago for the ruralism and asked how much the township wants to expand.

Backenstoe said the SALDO changes would be for street standards, curbing, alleys, snow storage, emergency routes, steep slopes, recreation fees in lieu of open space, mixed development and criteria for construction to maintain a historic architecture.

Stormwater would be dispersed, so it should have no impact, Backenstoe said.

Hart asked about the availability of maps, and Rehrig said she will see that he gets one. Snover said they are also on line.

The hearing was adjourned, and the township planning commission will now have time to review the comments. When the meeting is reopened, the board of supervisors has 90 days to vote.

Jaindl said he had hoped for a quick vote and asked supervisors to try and do so in January because February would upset the project plans.