Oct. 14, 2025
—- Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Kay Builders has acquired the Miller Farm on Farmersville Road in Bethlehem Township for $5.1 million.
The price comes out to about $100,000 per acre.
Northampton County recorded the sale of the 52 acres on Oct. 6.
Kay’s plans for more than 100 homes in the property led to an uproar in the township and residents opposed the development.
The land’s zoning allows development. The property is across Farmersville Road from a township park.
When residents objected, one appointed township official pointed out that when they bought their homes near the farm, “You didn’t buy the view.”
The homes nearby were also built on farmland.
Some neighbors complained about losing a view of cows. Earlier, others had complained about the smell of manure.
Bethlehem Township is about 90% developed and the farm Kay bought is one of the last agricultural spaces left.
Here’s the sale record for 3107 Farmersville Road:
Here’s the dollar figure:
Kay Builders:
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 
I loved having a farm in the neighborhood and always hoped the land would be leased to another farmer. Bethlehem Township is losing its ties to its past and while that may be progress to some, it is terribly sad to those of us who remember a simpler, better time.
LikeLike
The lesson from the last few years is we should never assume an open field or woods or a golf course or an abandoned quarry won’t be developed.
Anything not preserved is fair game.
Check zoning before buying anywhere.
Seeing the cows trampling about in the small wooded area there was kind of funny.
My kid used to call them “forest cows.”
Jeff Ward
LikeLike
When we first moved here in 1976, open land every were you turned. It was beautiful.
LikeLike
From a Real Estate point of view, always better to live in an area that is growing, not stagnant. It
generally equates to higher value on homes. However, I understand missing the views of the farms. But if the land is not preserved, one needs to assume eventually vacant land will be developed. What would the neighbors have done if the land was sold to a Turkey farmer? Lots of smells with a turkey farm. Do your homework and find out what the surrounding neighborhood is
zoned for before you buy. Monna Lou Henninger, Realtor
LikeLike
Good advice. I checked zoning before I bought my home. Never assume that open space will remain open space.
Jeff Ward, blogger
LikeLike
New development always comes down to how the land is zoned. If the land is zoned for housing and a developer buys it, they have a right to build on it. Our township officials should allow for more open space though in our zoning ordinances and not allow development on every spare blade of grass.
LikeLike