At the Aug. 20 Hanover Township, Lehigh County, council meeting, council voted to approve the Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School black box land development project time extension. The council-approved extension is 60 days in length.

Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School is located at 2040C, Bethlehem. LVA was established in 2002. It is an accredited public charter school with reportedly 1,800 students in grades K-12 from 16 school districts in the Lehigh Valley. It is an International Baccalaureate designated school.

An International Baccalaureate school recognizes educational programs including a number of DEI principles that focus on developing inquiring, knowledgeable and compassionate students who are prepared for future challenges. These schools provide a challenging, holistic curriculum emphasizing critical thinking, a deep understanding of the many diverse perspectives and community engagement.

The black box project is a 9,000-square-foot facility that includes a gymnasium and a theater and is designed as an adaptable, multipurpose space for various arts activities.

A remaining unresolved issue is the water service connection to the project’s two properties. One property is in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, and the other in the city of Bethlehem. At issue is the Hanover Township, Lehigh County, regulation that each property parcel is required to have its own water hookup. There is a water hookup on one of the parcels only.

It is expected the water issue will be resolved by the Sept. 17 council meeting.

The Transportation Alternative Set Aside Program grant was approved by council. The grant program has no cost to the township and provides funding for a variety of smaller-scale transportation projects, such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities and other community improvements.

Council discussed the Hanover Township, Lehigh County, charter amendments/ballot questions, or ordinances 663 and 664. They must be approved in September to make ballot questions available in the November 2025 election.

Council approved the Aug. 6 regular council meeting minutes and the township bills to Aug. 20.

In the manager’s report, it was announced the September summer movie series film is the movie “Bernie.” The movie will be shown dusk Sept. 5 in Sherwood Park, 1915 Sherwood St., Allentown.

The next Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in the township municipal building, 2202 Grove Road, Allentown. It is an in-person-only meeting. Visit hanleco.org to review the meeting’s agenda.