At the East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting July 28, Solicitor Joseph Piperato indicated rules are drafted to change the zoning ordinances.

“We changed the designation of warehouses from permitted use to conditional use in all the areas that allow warehouses,” Piperato said.

The changes do not ban warehouses, but developers are required to present their proposals to the board of supervisors.

Other new rules include a provision that parking and loading activity must be handled within the property. The board received complaints about vehicles waiting for dock space parking in the township on unoccupied land.

The changes are the result of rumors that Rockefeller Group is proposing new warehousing in the township.

The measure will be up for a public hearing and adoption at the board’s Aug. 25 meeting.

According to township Engineer James Milot, Hanover Township officials asked if East Allen Township would join with them to restrict truck traffic on Hanoverville Road. The restriction is for selected trucks and would not interfere with local deliveries. Hanoverville Road in Hanover Township is a densely populated residential area; the portion of the road in East Allen Township is largely vacant land. Public works Director Gary Mathesz noted Hanoverville Road is a main detour for State Route 512.

The board voted to move ahead in discussions with Hanover Township.

In other news, the board agreed in principle to move forward with the purchase of distressed property on Weaversville Road. Grant funds are available to purchase the property the township is eyeing as a potential park area.

Supervisor Peggy Moser expressed her concern about the reported environmental issues.

Supervisor Mark Schwartz said, “We are probably in the best position to get the site remediated.”

According to Schwartz, the purchase is approved by Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Lehigh Valley Economic Development Commission (LVEDC) indicated it would provide some of the funding necessary for the remediation effort. LVEDC provided support to several high-profile remediation efforts.

The board reviewed a request from Joe Moyer, of Nor-Bath Boulevard, to relocate his septic system. The existing system is 45 feet from his well, and the new system is 75 feet from his well. The state requirement is 100 feet. Lot size precludes meeting the state requirements.

Milot agreed the new location is an improvement and explained to the homeowner the requirements needed to get a variance from the state rule. The requirements include documentation on how the well was built and the stage of failure for the existing septic system. Moyer was not notified of the requirements prior to the meeting and will present the information to the township engineer.

The board agreed to work with other municipalities on the latest confiscation of taxes for Allentown’s Neighborhood Improvement Zone (NIZ). There is a proposal to take area hotel taxes and apply them to NIZ. The plan is similar to the action taken by municipalities to stop the confiscation of Earned Income Tax dollars.

East Allen Township concluded its last week of summer camp. This year’s efforts included a goal to raise $1,000 for a giraffe building at Lehigh Valley Zoo. Chuck Frantz, parks and recreation department, reported the goal is within reach.