Evolve Sober Living LLC, a proposed rooming house for women recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, now has to wait until the Sept. 12 meeting of Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners for a decision on whether it will be granted conditional use of a two-story house at 855 Third St.

Abe Atiyeh, Lehigh Valley developer and chief executive officer of Pennsylvania Venture Capital, is renting the five-bedroom house to Talia Ehret, a partner of Evolve Sober Living LLC. The co-partner with Ehret is Lauren Keavery.

The address for Pennsylvania Capital Venture is Whitehall Manor, Atiyeh’s senior living complex.

The commissioners deferred voting on granting conditional use for the boarding house at their Aug. 8 meeting until they receive clarification regarding off-street parking. The township zoning board has granted Evolve Sober Living LLC a variance.

At one point during the hearing, commissioners President Phillips Armstrong expressed he was not comfortable regarding the issue of parking spaces, saying it may be better to go back to the zoning board to “get that straightened out. That’s what I’m throwing at you.”

Testimony indicated there are two women housed at the rooming facility; the maximum number of women would be 10, 18 or older, for stays of three to 10 months. Each will pay $3,100 monthly.

Four parking spaces are required, two on the property and two off-site.

Since the meeting, there has been indication Evolve Sober Living LLC may now have four parking slots on the property through construction of concrete pads.

Under questioning by board members, Ehret said there would be two staff members present at all times. The residents are not permitted to have vehicles, and there is no lockdown.

“The goal is to provide a safe, learning environment,” Ehret testified.

The women would be taught life skills, cooking, cleaning and more, she added.

There are no state regulations governing rooming/boarding houses, such as Evolve Sober Living LLC.

Michelle Fabik spoke in opposition to granting Evolve Sober Living LLC approval.

Margaret Kalnus, of Quarry Street, said her concerns were safety issues that could impact her family and fellow neighbors.

Regarding the lack of a lockdown, Kalnus added, “Before long, you’re going to have drug dealers there, and don’t tell me I’m wrong.”