— Update: Four stories seems high for garden apartments. As for the water issue, yes, but it’s not new. This may make for an interesting zoning meeting. —
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The developer of the auto-salvage yard at 4406-4418 Easton Ave. in Bethlehem Township seeks to add a fourth story to the proposed apartment complex.
That requires relief from the zoning code. That issue is on the Bethlehem Township Zoning Hearing Board’s agenda for Feb. 26.
Orion Real Estate Development, 135 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, contends in documents submitted to the township that “The variance requested will offset the unique costs required to address the existing flooding condition at the intersection of Farmersville Road and Easton Avenue.”
That is, adding another floor to the apartments already proposed will cover the costs. The township reviewed plans for two buildings, then with 96 apartments total, in 2023. The property is across Easton Avenue from the Blue Grillhouse.
Stormwater is a problem in parts of the township, and a frequent target of residents’ complaints about development.
The Orion proposal starts on page 65 of this link.
The Bethlehem Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the municipal building, 4225 Easton Ave. Agendas are subject to change. Check the township website for updates.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 
Jeff: Who is Orion Real Estate? Owners, principals?
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County records list the owner as MES-SIL Enterprises with address at the salvage yard.
There is a local Orion Real Estate.
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The business address listed appears to be a private residence owned by Orion. That’s not unusual with LLCs.
Then they list the address of this project as the salvage yard.
There is some explanation in the document.
This may be — may — be a venture between two groups.
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Duane Wagner is the applicant, according to page 69 of the zoning agenda.
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will the scrapyard still be there or are they building on the present site of the scrapyard?
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They will use the entire site. There will be no more scrapyard.
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