Bethlehem Township Considers Prison in Farm Country

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Margle addresses Comm'rs

In April, a three-judge Commonwealth Court panel told Bethlehem Township that its zoning ordinance needed an overhaul. A failure to provide for prisons made the ordinance unconstitutionally exclusionary. Township Commissioners, at their September 4 meeting, decided unanimously to advertise an ordinance that will allow for prisons in agricultural zones. They are doing so over the objections of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC).

In a August 11 letter from the LVPC's David Berryman, Commissioners were cautioned against establishing prison zones in areas set aside for farmland preservation. He warned that some of this agricultural land abuts residential development. He instead recommended that an institutional zone be established, or that a zone be created in existing industrial areas.

But there's no room left. Special Solicitor Stan Margle told Commissioners, "We don't have any areas in the industrial or commercial zones." Manager Howard Kutzler agreed. He argued that following the LVPC recommendation would affect already that are already developed.

"This is where it works," said Kutzler, referring to the agricultural zone. He added that providing for prisons there "keeps us out of trouble."

According to Kutzler, the Dale and Gloria Koehler family is the only active farmer left in the Township.

Margle stated that, during an October 8 public hearing, LVPC concerns can be addressed in more detail, and with input from the public.

This zoning change has already been recommended to Commissioners by a unanimous vote of the Township's Planning Commission, at their August 27 meeting.

If this area is established, it will be in addition the right to build a 300-bed prison at 4255 Fritch Drive, located in an industrial park near Route 191. In their April ruling, judges gave developer Abe Atiyeh the right to build there. But it is a pyrrhic victory. Atiyeh and Northampton County Executive John Stoffa decided on a smaller facility in West Easton, which was dedicated last month.

In other business, Comm'r Tom Nolan suggested adding corrugated paper to the Township's recycling ordinance. "I know they take it," said Comm'r Mike Hudak, referring to haulers. But Commissioners unanimously agreed that adding this item to the ordinance would make the public more aware that cardboard can be recycled.

Commissioners' next scheduled meeting is on Monday, September 14, 7 PM, at the Municipal Building at 4225 Easton Avenue.