The North Whitehall Township Board of Supervisors held a special meeting Oct. 9, to address two matters — a settlement agreement for the Strawberry Acres development and an extension request from Gene and Deborah Weierbach.

In the Strawberry Acres case, the developer revised its plans to remove the vertical stormwater basin walls that had drawn concern from the board last year. The new design replaces those walls with underground basins.

Township consultants reviewed the updated plans and found them satisfactory. If approved, the settlement would rescind the board’s June 2024 denial and grant preliminary plan approval, pending third-party reviews.

The supervisors also discussed an extension agreement with Gene and Deborah Weierbach, who are involved in a zoning dispute with the township. The agreement delays the first hearing on their validity challenge until Dec. 2, to allow time for their out-of-state attorney to participate.

According to the Institute for Justice, which represents the Weierbachs, the couple has operated a small at-home mechanic shop from their secluded Slatington property for 24 years without complaints. Institute for Justice states the dispute began after an alleged personal falling out between Gene Weierbach and a supervisor over car repair work. Following that, the township zoning board issued a cease-and-desist letter. Although the Weierbachs were initially granted a variance to continue their business, the township appealed the decision, and the variance was overturned.

The Weierbachs have since teamed up with the Institute for Justice to challenge the township’s zoning laws and are petitioning for a curative amendment.