Nov. 3, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Upper Saucon Township is seeking court approval to sell or lease donated land, including a tract that could be used for a PPL Corp. substation.
The township posted information about the potential transactions months ago. Upper Saucon has since posted a notice that it may sell the “Talago Property,” about 8.3 acres at 3571 Jacoby Road, to PPL for an electrical substation.
From the statement: “In the alternative to the above, the Township seeks Orphan’s Court authorization to sell the Talago Property pursuant to a deed in lieu of condemnation to the Pennsylvania Power and Light Electric Utilities Corporation (“PPL”) for use as an electrical substation (electric facilities), and to grant a power line right-of-way / easement in lieu of condemnation over a portion of the Haring Property to PPL in connection therewith.”
Upper Saucon needs appoval from the Orphans’ Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County for the sale. Orphans’ Courts handle issues involving wills and trusts, not necessarily orphans and other children.
The 71-acre Tumblebrook property on Jacoby Road is also on the list of properties. About 162 acres total are listed. The legal notice from the township notes deed restrictions on the properties, including use of Tumblebrook as a golf course.
The township’s hearing will be held before Judge Thomas Capehart at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 W. Hamilton St., Allentown.
Residents who object may attend the hearing. Hearing dates may change. Check the township website closer to the date.
Disclosure: I own shares of PPL stock.
Here’s a link to the township statement and below is a cut-and-paste version:
NOTICE OF UPPER SAUCON TOWNSHIP’S PETITION TO SELL CERTAIN REAL ESTATE
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
LEHIGH COUNTY, PA
ORPHANS’ COURT DIVISION
NO. 2026-OC-0213
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Pa. R.O.C.P. 5.10 and Leh. O.C. Rules 4.2-1 and 2, that on February 3, 2026, Upper Saucon Township filed a Petition to Sell Certain Real Estate in the above-referenced matter, pursuant to the Property Donated to Political Subdivisions for Public Use Act of December 15, 1959, Pub. L. 1772, No. 670, 53 P.S. §§ 3381-3386 and other Pennsylvania Statutes; seeking Orphans’ Court authorization to publicly offer for sale or lease four Township-owned properties located in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania (the “Township”), subject to deed restrictions requiring their development and use as a golf course with appropriate accessory uses, or in the alternative for use in whole or in part as open space, active or passive recreation, or farming. The properties are as follows:
1. 3584 Jacoby Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036 (Lehigh County Tax Map I.D. No. 642490709028 1), known as the “Tumblebrook Property” (approximately 71.1 acres);
2. 3571 Jacoby Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036 (Lehigh County Tax Map I.D. No. 642490243871 1), known as the “Talago Property” (approximately 8.25 acres);
3. * Jacoby Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036 (Lehigh County Tax Map I.D. No. 642490776642 1), known as the “Te Property” (approximately 7.9 acres);
4. 7486 Passer Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036 (Lehigh County Tax Map I.D. No. 643401249637 1), known as the “Haring Property” (approximately 73.9 acres).
In the alternative to the above, the Township seeks Orphan’s Court authorization to sell the Talago Property pursuant to a deed in lieu of condemnation to the Pennsylvania Power and Light Electric Utilities Corporation (“PPL”) for use as an electrical substation (electric facilities), and to grant a power line right-of-way / easement in lieu of condemnation over a portion of the Haring Property to PPL in connection therewith.
Pursuant to 53 P.S. §§ 3385, any Township resident, or any group or organization of residents thereof, shall have the right to file a protest and, in the discretion of the Orphans’ Court, shall be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel or to intervene in such action and to be a party thereto.
DATE OF HEARING: NOVEMBER 13, 2026
TIME OF HEARING: 1:30 P.M.
COURTROOM NUMBER: 5C, JUDGE THOMAS A. CAPEHART
LEHIGH COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 455 WEST HAMILTON STREET
ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 18101
The Petition and any Motion to Amend or Amendment thereto may be inspected at the Office of the Clerk of Orphans’ Court, Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, and at the Upper Saucon Township Municipal Building, 5500 Camp Meeting Road, Center Valley, PA 18034 during the Township’s business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
