Oct. 9 Public Hearing on Landfill Rezoning to Be Held in Cafeteria

There's been a change in the location for the Wednesday (Oct. 9) continuation of a public hearing about the rezoning of land in Lower Saucon Township that could pave the way for an expansion of IESI Bethlehem Landfill.

According to an update posted on the township website, the hearing will be held in the Saucon Valley High School cafeteria instead of the school's Audion room, which was where the first part of the hearing was held Sept. 25.

The cafeteria is a larger room that was not available for the Sept. 25 meeting.

Attendees on Oct. 9 should enter the school through Door No. 21, the announcement indicated.

The procedures and security measures that were in force at last month's public hearing will be in effect at the continuation hearing, meaning visitors should be expected to pass through metal detectors and have their bags searched before they enter the cafeteria. Firearms will not be permitted at the meeting, since it is taking place on school grounds.

IESI Bethlehem Landfill has requested that land near Applebutter Road be rezoned from rural agricultural and light manufacturing to light industrial to accommodate an expansion plan that was first outlined in early 2012.

The expansion would extend the landfill's lifespan by a decade or so and would guarantee further revenue for the township, which currently receives about $2 million each year in host fees, in addition to property tax income.

About 100 supporters and opponents of the proposed expansion attended and dozens spoke at last month's public hearing, which concluded after three hours and before everyone who had signed up to speak had had an opportunity to do so.

In addition to the nine speakers already registered at the previous meeting, other attendees will have the opportunity to sign up to speak at Wednesday's meeting.

In recent months, various municipal and intergovernmental bodies have voted for or against recommending the proposed rezoning, but Lower Saucon Township Council will have the final say on the matter if it votes to advertise the zoning map change for adoption.