Council Announces Preservation of Open Space

Dozens of acres of open space in eastern Lower Saucon Township have been permanently preserved through a conservation easement, township council president Glenn Kern announced at the start of council's Jan. 18 meeting.

Council had just voted unanimously in executive session to approve the easement on the Whitmore Prime Development property, it was explained.

The purpose of a conservation easement is to restrict development, although land that has been preserved typically remains in private hands.

The Whitmore property is located near Easton and Lower Saucon roads, south of Woodland Hills golf course, council vice president Tom Maxfield said.

Kern called it a "beautiful property" and noted that it includes forested areas, as well as both steep slopes and level sections. A tributary to the Saucon Creek also flows across part of the tract.

"It's quite a special piece of property and we were able to conserve it tonight, so that's a very good thing," remarked Kern, who has been a vocal .

At the meeting, council also unanimously approved appointing Hanover Engineering to draft a conservation easement plan for the property.