Allen Township Planning Commission had only one item on the agenda for its meeting March 19. With Jaindl-Watson projects on the back burner for a while, Chairman Eugene Clater focused on zoning and the township’s ordinances.

“We want to focus on zoning and how our zoning ordinances align with the comprehensive plan,” he said in his opening remarks. “I don’t expect that we get this resolved tonight, and it may take a few months.”

Township Manager Ilene Eckhart put together some preliminary changes and definitions. The version in front of the commission was a preliminary look. It was finalized earlier in the day, so no one really had any time to review options or assess the impact of changes in the zoning map.

There were complaints about the comprehensive plan, but Clater expressed, in no uncertain terms, that the plan was adopted. There were far-reaching discussions to bring the comprehensive plan to fruition.

Given all the effort to create the new comprehensive plan, Clater gave one precaution.

“The zoning we have now is the zoning that is in effect,” he said. “We want to make changes to align with the comprehensive plan, but the comprehensive plan is a guideline. There may be areas where we are unable to reconcile differences.”

This meeting concentrated on the areas in the northern reaches of the township that are largely agricultural or rural.

There was agreement among the board that rural residential lot sizes should be increased to two-acre lots from existing one-acre lots. The idea is to keep the township rural in nature, a top priority among residents in the township. One argument for adjusting lot size to two acres was for septic systems; however, Clater indicated a building cannot be approved under existing rules without two spots perked for septic.

Some limited discussion centered around using different labels for the various zones, but commission members agreed to recommend that naming zoning districts remains the same.

Robert Cox, township engineer, suggested certain areas may need overlay districts.

Commission Vice Chairman Gary Krill leaned to keeping things as they are, with a few tweaks needed.

Eckhart ran through a list of changes on what could be in a given district.

A question also arose on calculating minimal lot size. The commission wants to use buildable acres as a measure of size. Cox suggested there might be a way to value property based on buildable acres, but there is still an open question on the methodology. Buildable acres versus acres is a discussion the commission will have with supervisors.

The definition of cluster homes is that they would require public water and sewer. The requirements keep cluster homes out of the agricultural and rural zoning districts.

Resident Sue Lindenmoyer questioned why Nazareth was able to give Jaindl conditions on the Jaindl project at the Nazareth Speedway. Clater contended there was an extensive traffic study done for the project. He did add the makeup of the Jaindl project at the old speedway was different; residential traffic is much heavier than commercial.

Lindenmoyer questioned the commissioners about hazardous materials.

“They are restricted from being in the warehouse,” Clater replied.

Lindenmoyer said, after the meeting, that she was disappointed with Northampton Area School District Board of Education after she heard the school board voted 7-2 to approve an access road for Jaindl’s properties.

The next planning commission meeting was planned as a review of revised plans for the Jaindl warehouses. However, the Jaindl team is continuing to make changes in line with the suggestions made by residents and asked for a delay.

The April 16 planning commission meeting will continue the focus on zoning. The May 21 meeting is scheduled to include a Jaindl presentation.