South Whitehall Township Commissioners formally announced the hiring of Kent Baird as the township’s new director of development at the Feb. 4 meeting.

Baird began his position Jan. 28 and was also appointed zoning officer, a requirement of the director of development role under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code and Chapter 350 of the township code.

Baird brings more than 26 years of professional experience in municipal planning, zoning administration, land development, conservation and community and economic development throughout Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley.

He is a certified planner (American Institute of Certified Planners) with extensive experience managing planning departments, administering zoning ordinances, coordinating interdepartmental reviews and working closely with elected officials, planning commissions, developers and residents.

Before joining South Whitehall Township, Baird held senior leadership positions in municipal government, consulting firms and regional conservation organizations.

His work has included directing countywide open space programs, overseeing zoning and long-range planning initiatives, managing grant-funded projects and leading public engagement efforts on complex land use matters.

His experience also includes comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance updates, transportation and trail planning, parking, open space preservation and redevelopment initiatives.

Township manager Thomas Petrucci said Baird’s depth of experience and professional background would be a significant asset to the township, the board of commissioners and the community.

Commissioners welcomed Baird to the township team, noting his extensive resume and experience in the field.

Baird thanked the board for the opportunity, expressing enthusiasm about working with township staff and commissioners.

He also praised Petrucci and the township’s planning staff, stating he was excited to move projects forward and to enforce the township’s zoning ordinance.

The board unanimously approved a resolution appointing Baird as zoning officer by a 5–0 vote.

During the meeting, commissioners also announced upcoming meetings and events, all of which are posted on the township website.

These included the next board of commissioners meeting 7 p.m. Feb. 18.

Residents were encouraged to check the township website for any schedule updates.

In addition, commissioners announced current vacancies on township boards and commissions, including two alternate positions on the civil service commission and the zoning hearing board.

Longtime zoning hearing board member Don Klein has submitted his resignation effective after Jan. 28.

Klein served the township for approximately 33 years and commissioners said his service will be formally recognized at a future meeting.

Consideration of a replacement appointment is expected at the next board of commissioners meeting.

Klein’s tenure on the zoning hearing board included a period of controversy.

In 2023, a heated interview for a vacant zoning hearing board alternate position led township commissioners to consider changes to their policy governing appointments to citizen boards.

During that interview, Commissioner Jacob Roth said Klein, who was then serving as board chairman, criticized an applicant’s impartiality and knowledge, after which the applicant withdrew his application.

The incident prompted discussion among commissioners about whether board chairs should have a formal role in candidate interviews, with proposed policy changes aimed at limiting that influence.

No vote on the policy changes was taken at that time.