LVPC Committee Recommends Against Proposed Applebutter Road Rezoning

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's Comprehensive Planning Committee voted unanimously not to recommend a proposed rezoning of land along Applebutter Road in Lower Saucon Township when it met Tuesday afternoon, township councilman David Willard said in an email.

"The staff recommendation was not to recommend the rezoning," said Willard, who attended the meeting.

He added that the recommendation will be presented to the full LVPC at its meeting Thursday at 7 p.m., with the expectation that a vote on it will occur.

The proposed rezoning would make it possible for IESI Bethlehem Landfill—which is located on Applebutter Road—to expand onto property it owns to the west of its current facility.

The 72-year-old landfill has a limited lifespan because of its size and laws that govern its capacity.

An expansion plan that was first presented to township officials and the public in February 2012 could extend the lifespan of the facility—and the millions of dollars in revenue it generates for Lower Saucon Township—by a number of years.

The Lower Saucon Township Planning Commission is scheduled to review the proposed rezoning map and text amendment that would allow for that when it meets Thursday at 7 p.m.

If it meets Thursday, that is.

Willard said a group of residents has requested that the meeting date be changed to avoid a conflict with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's meeting, which is scheduled to be held at the same time on the same day.

The decision about whether or not to postpone the township planning commission's meeting is up to commission chairman John Landis, Willard said.

As of late Tuesday afternoon a decision about the meeting had not been announced.

The township planning commission previously voted to oppose the rezoning of land along Applebutter Road near the landfill when the subject was put to a vote in September 2012. 

Discussions about the possible rezoning that would pave the way for IESI's expansion have often been acrimonious, with some residents who live near the facility voicing opposition due to environmental and quality of life concerns.

Many of those residents live in the Steel City area, and some belong to a group called Saucon Valley Families Opposing Landfill Development.

Other township residents have been outspoken about preserving the revenue stream the landfill generates for the township, which some say will help prevent township taxes from rising.