The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners met Oct. 15, featuring two presentations and a public hearing on a new zoning ordinance.

Long-Range Planner Chris Strohler provided an update on the open space referendum, which will appear on the Nov. 4 municipal election ballot.

The question asks voters whether they support a 0.1% increase in the township’s earned income tax – from 1.0% to 1.1% – to fund an open space preservation program.

If approved, the additional revenue would be used to purchase or acquire easements on undeveloped open space to protect water quality, farmland, historic sites and natural resources.

Funds could also be used for maintenance management, or debt payments related to land acquisitions.

“If approved by voters,” Strohler explained, “the township would be permitted to enact the 0.1% earned income tax increase next year to support open space preservation.”

Commissioner Diane Kelly encouraged residents to learn more before voting.

“Please take a moment to educate yourself before you go to the voting booth,” she said, noting information is available on the township website and in the municipal building lobby.

The second presentation recognized South Whitehall Township and Bowman Consulting for receiving the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers Award for their Transportation Plan – Phase One.

Developed throughout 2023 and 2024, the plan focuses on community engagement, transportation safety and active mobility, including walking, biking and transit access.

It identifies several high-priority safety corridors, including Hamilton Boulevard, which will undergo a detailed safety audit.

Another study focuses on Whitehall Avenue near Kratzer Elementary School to improve safe routes to school connections.

“This plan is about turning goals into action,” Strohler said. “We’re already implementing projects and maintaining momentum.”

Rob Gates of Bowman Consulting thanked the township for its partnership.

“This plan reflects well on the township’s direction – creating a plan that doesn’t just sit on a shelf but actually gets implemented,” he said.

The board congratulated staff and consultants, standing for a photo with the award.

The board then held a public hearing on the proposed Planned Innovation, Research and Technology Overlay District, a new zoning option for land near Parkland High School, Orefield Road and Mauch Chunk Road.

Strohler explained the area has been zoned industrial since 1961 and once hosted chemical manufacturing, though much of it now sits vacant.

The optional PIRT district would apply to projects larger than 2.5 acres, encouraging light-industrial and technology-based uses such as research facilities and tech campuses.

Key features include expanded 200-foot setbacks from homes and roads, updated landscaping and design guidelines and buffer and pedestrian zones to protect open space and scenic views.

The overlay also defines data centers as a permitted use, with strict requirements for screening, energy efficiency and visual impact.

Residents Sharon Fehringer-Ricker and Glenn Guanowsky, both candidates for township commissioner, spoke during the hearing.

Fehringer-Ricker urged the board to require conditional-use approval for all data centers, citing concerns over energy use, air quality and water consumption.

“We need to put every possible effort into discouraging AI data centers from coming to South Whitehall Township,” she said.

Guanowsky shared similar concerns, calling for stronger sustainability measures, renewable energy standards and environmental reporting requirements.

“It’s about doing things right,” he said. “The municipal planning code calls for protecting the health, safety and morals of our community.”

Township Solicitor Joseph Zator explained the PIRT overlay’s requirements are detailed and enforceable because developers must voluntarily agree to them, making the ordinance more protective of the township’s interests than a conditional-use process.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the PIRT Overlay Ordinance.