Large Crowd Expected at Wednesday's Landfill, Rezoning Meeting

The agenda for Wednesday's special Lower Saucon Township Council public hearing about the proposed rezoning of land along Applebutter Road—which would allow IESI Bethlehem Landfill to expand westward if approved—has been released.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Saucon Valley High School Audion room and a large crowd is likely, given that the issue of whether or not the rezoning should be allowed has been a contentious one among some local residents.

Council meetings are normally held at Lower Saucon Town Hall, but the hearing was scheduled to be held at the school due to the expectation of a significant turnout.

The township announced earlier that a number of rules will be in effect and security procedures will be in place to help ensure that the meeting runs smoothly.

The township planning commission has already voted in favor of the rezoning, while the township's environmental advisory council (EAC) and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission have voted against recommending the rezoning.

At stake, among other things, are IESI's ability to operate its Lower Saucon Township facility for another decade or more, a number of jobs, and the millions of dollars in host fees and local taxes that the business currently generates.

Opponents of the landfill's expansion—many of whom live in the Steel City section of the township, near the landfill—have cited concerns over the impact a larger facility could have on the local environment and their quality of life in voicing opposition to the rezoning plan.

Supporters have argued that the township needs the revenue stream generated by its largest business to continue.

Both sides of have occasionally clashed at a number of township meetings held over the past 19 months, since IESI first announced its proposed western expansion.

Photo: IESI Bethlehem Landfill in Lower Saucon Township (file photo)