The proposed 49 apartments at 215 Quarry St., Fullerton, got off to a bumpy start at the December meeting of the Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board.

Fuller Sportswear, a clothing factory that has been closed for quite some time, is currently at the site.

The hearing room was filled with residents living near the proposed apartments.

The opening presentation by Wendy Carter, of PathStone Corporation, was objected by Attorney John A. VanLuvance of Doylestown, counsel for owners of two neighboring properties. PathStone, the appellant, describes itself as a private, nonprofit human services and regional community services organization.

In its appeal before the zoning board, PathStone asked for a favorable ruling from the board to waive the requirement the board has set that two off-street parking spaces must be provided for each of the 49 apartment units.

One favorable ruling granted is the township’s ordinance capping the height of buildings erected not to exceed 35 feet.

Setback requirements for front, side and rear of the building is another matter before the five-member zoning appeals board.

VanLuvance, twice during Carter’s slide presentation, raised objections - once to having the board proceed with the hearing on the basis that nothing has changed since the zoning appeals board rejected plans in May 2014, mainly because of a lack of off-street parking, and again to question Carter’s qualifications as an expert witness.

The zoning board recessed briefly on two occasions regarding VanLuvance’s issues before deciding to continue the hearing at a special session, which was set for Jan. 12.

Township commissioners met Dec. 14, the day before the zoning board met, and voted in favor of residential permit parking areas on Quarry Street, on the north and south sides between Second and Third streets; Quarry Street, south side between Second and Front streets; Second Street, east side between Quarry and Grape streets; and Second Street, west side between Quarry and Chestnut streets.

“We don’t see it that way, counsel,” said Attorney William J. Fries, representing the zoning board, telling VanLuvance to get past the issue of whether or not there were new facts for the hearing.

The project labeled “The Lofts at Fullerton Mills” sits between Second and Third streets on Quarry Street, zoned in a high-density residential district without apartments. Carter stated the project has been scaled back from 52 to 49 units.

As director of housing administration in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for PathStone Corporation, Carter said the apartments would be affordable for individuals with low income and would include one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with rents ranging from $250 to $1,000.