— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Northampton Community College’s plan to change the zoning on part of its Bethlehem Township campus is up for review at tonight’s Lehigh Valley Planning Commission meeting.
The college’s request: The application proposes to amend the Township Zoning
Map by applying the Institutional Overlay (IO) Zoning District to a 43-acre parcel
located on Green Pond Road.
According to a September meeting of the township’s Planning Commission:
** Northampton Community College requests the rezoning of the “agricultural” property at the southeastern corner of the Northampton Community College campus, known as the East 40 Property. The request is made to align with the zoning of the remainder of the campus … **
So the college says it wants to have consistent zoning on its campus, and township officials said the goal is to use the land for environmental education. At that meeting, a resident asked that the zoning not allow for more dormitories.
The LVPC will review the zoning change, and here is its take on that so far: “This proposal facilitates opportunities for Northampton County Community College to expand operations and aligns with FutureLV: The Regional Plan by expanding access to education and job training … “
The community college has gardens on that site now. The zoning change was discussed at a November Board of Commissioners meetings, see here for comments from that meeting.
Bethlehem Township will make the final decision on any zoning change. The NCC issue will also be discussed at the next township Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 27. See the agenda.
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will meet tonight at 7 p.m. The meeting is virtual. See this link for information about attending.
As always, agendas are subject to change. Please check them online before planning to attend.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 