City to Review 65-Unit Housing Development on Township Line Road in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, South of Route 22 and North of Monocacy Creek

Aug. 19, 2026

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Bethlehem’s Planning Commission will look over plans for a 65-home development that straddles the city’s border with Bethlehem Township, just south of Route 22.

“Autumn Estates” as the proposal is called is on land known as the Gold Tract. Based on documents submitted to Bethlehem, the plan is for 19 homes in the City of Bethlehem and 46 homes just to the east in Bethlehem Township.

Earlier, the official property address was given as 3836 Township Line Road. The owner of the property is a limited liability corporation known as Bethlehem Gold and based in Oakhurst, N.J.

Among the questions raised by Bethlehem’s Planning and Zoning Department: “It is not readily apparent what entity is proposed to ultimately take ownership of the open space parcels.”

The land is some of the last remaining open space to the south of Route 22, squeezed between the highway and Monocacy Creek. Some residents have objected to building near the creek, and disturbing animal habitat nearby.

The Gold Tract covers 55 acres.

A traffic study notes potential impacts on Township Line Road, Altonah Road, Santee Mill Road and Cottage Drive.

The Bethlehem Planning Commission will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25 in Town Hall.

Here is a link to the agenda (agendas are subject to change) and below is the Autumn Estates note. Plans and the traffic study are available on the city website.

From the city:

(25-001 SUB) – 25120001 – TOWNSHIP LINE ROAD (between Santee Mill Rd and US Route 22, formerly known as Gold Tract, now called Autumn Estates) – MAJOR SUBDIVISION PLAN –
Ward 14, Zoned RR, plan dated November 21, 2025, last revised April 1, 2026.
The applicant proposes a major subdivision to create 65 residential lots, of which 19 are located within the City of Bethlehem. The subdivision also includes the creation of Open Space Lots 1, 3 and 4, Stormwater Management Lot 1, and Township Line Road Right-of-Way Dedication. Excluded from the subdivision is the lot containing the existing dwelling, n/f Flor De Maria Booke, and the lot containing the sanitary sewer pump station, Bethlehem Township Municipal Authority. The applicant utilizes Article 1309 Open Space Development Option: thereby increasing their permitted number of lots from 17 to 20. A small portion of the City parcel is located within the floodway, and a significant portion is located within the Special Flood Hazard Area, Zone AE, with identified steep slopes and wetlands. No dwellings are proposed to be within these areas.