On May 10, East Allen Township scheduled a long-awaited session to determine if 155 acres of airport-owned land along Weaversville Road could be changed from agricultural zoning to commercial. The change is requested by Rockefeller Group to expand warehouse development in and around the airport.

The township meeting was crammed with 80 interested residents. Fire officials had another 20 people standing outside and eventually began turning away residents interested in the proceedings because the fire occupancy limits for the building were reached.

Attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick began his opening remarks by explaining how the project fit into the planning scheme to develop warehousing near the airport. He noted the project was approved by the township’s planning committee and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Township Engineer James Milot interrupted to clarify the LVPC’s analysis.

“In their letter, the LVPC said the development of warehouses was in keeping with the overall plan for the Valley,” he said.

Fitzgerald noted the tract is adjacent to townships that have approved warehouses and was located in an insignificant corner of East Allen Township.

Most township residents received notification of the meeting via a flier or contact with their neighbors. The May 10 meeting was the third scheduled meeting on the development. Rockefeller Group, the developers, or Fitzpatrick, the lead attorney, asked for delays from prior scheduled meetings. The board of supervisors set the May 10 day as the last option for Rockefeller to present its case to make the zoning change.

Earlier in the year, the board made two significant zoning changes. One change was to make warehouses proposed anywhere in the township subject to conditional approval. The other change gave the board the right to review an application and determine if a zoning hearing was appropriate. Once a change was deemed appropriate, the developer could schedule a zoning hearing.

Area blogger/columnist Bernie O’Hare arrived late to the meeting and was denied access to the main meeting room because it was fully occupied.

“You know this is a violation of the Sunshine Act,” he said. “People in the hallway can’t hear the proceedings, and I am being told others were turned away.”

Sunshine Laws are regulations requiring openness in government or business. They make meetings, votes and other official action available to the public and also require meetings to be held at times and in places that are convenient and accessible to the public.

Solicitor Joseph Piperato initially responded that reasonable accommodations were provided. O’Hare persisted, and the hearing was canceled.

“We do not want this decision to be plagued by a potential lawsuit questioning the process,” Piperato said.

Chairman Roger Unangst will announce a date for the new meeting at a venue that will accommodate all who are interested in attending.

The other significant item on the agenda was a request from Jaindl Properties for a zoning change on property along Airport Road, south of the golf center. Council will look at the proposal at its May 25 meeting. This is the first major development being handled under the new zoning procedure that allows the board of supervisors to review the application before submitting to a zoning hearing.