North Whitehall Township held its monthly board of supervisors meeting May 11. During the treasurer’s report, Seth O’Neill and board members discussed the township’s new Hometown Heroes banner program. Officials said 30 banners have been purchased through a company in Lansdale and are expected to arrive soon. The banners will honor local veterans and will initially be installed along Route 309 beginning near Ritter Court and extending north toward the community college.

Township officials noted a grant is expected to offset much of the cost of the program. Supervisors also explained additional spaces are available along Route 309 toward Route 873, allowing room for approximately 50 more banners in the future if the program expands.

The board recessed the regular meeting to hold two public hearings on proposed ordinance amendments.

The first hearing involved, an amendment to the township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Township Solicitor Rocco Beltrami explained the amendment updates construction specifications and requires developers to submit written waiver requests using a standardized township form before planning commission meetings. The change is intended to create a more uniform review process for waiver requests associated with land development plans. No public comments were made during the hearing and the record was closed.

A second public hearing was held to amend the township zoning ordinance regarding data center regulations. Beltrami said the ordinance was revised following feedback from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and township residents. Under the proposed changes, data centers would only be permitted in the ME/I (Mineral Extraction and Industrial) zoning district rather than both the ME/I and Light Industrial Business districts. The amendment also increases setback requirements and strengthens noise regulations for future data center developments. No public comments were offered during the hearing before the board resumed its regular meeting. Both ordinances were later voted on and approved unanimously.

The board also approved a new Trap-Neuter-Return ordinance aimed at addressing the township’s feral cat population and expanding local animal welfare enforcement. Township officials said the ordinance creates a formal colony registration program that will allow caretakers to register feral cat colonies and qualify for township-funded TNR services. Officials described the program as a humane method of controlling the feral cat population over time while also ensuring animals receive vaccinations and medical care without placing the financial burden entirely on volunteer caregivers.

The township is partnering with Aunt Helen’s, a TNR organization, to provide spaying and neutering services for both male and female cats. Supervisors stated the township currently contributes between $30 and $50 per cat for the procedures. Officials also noted severely ill animals with no reasonable quality of life may be humanely euthanized.

In addition to the TNR program, the ordinance adds local animal welfare provisions that will allow the township to address certain animal-related concerns directly rather than relying solely on state dog wardens and outside agencies. Supervisors said the change will help improve response capabilities for animal welfare complaints within the township.