Lower Nazareth Township supervisors want sidewalks in proposed housing development

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Lower Nazareth Supervisors told representatives of the Frey tract they would need to add sidewalks to a developer's plan to construct 57 homes east of Route 191.

The property, known as the Frey tract, lays just north of the baseball fields by the municipal building.

Joe Piperato, the attorney and a principal for Frey tract, in May presented a sketch plan before the planning commission and asked the board to consider changing the zoning from agricultural to low-density residential.

Planning commission Vice Chairman Zachariah Cobrinik had said residential developments surrounding the tract were changed from agricultural to low-density residential in the early 1990s when construction began.

Commissioners in May had discussed two potential dilemmas with the project: No sidewalks and whether to extend Hartman Road into the development.

The sketch plan is now before the board of supervisors. Since the project is in its preliminary stages, no action was taken during tonight's meeting.

Supervisor Robert Kucsan said the development would need to have sidewalks.

"One of the problems I see if I am driving and it's winter time and grass is full of snow and they don't shovel, they walk on the street and you have cars going to work at the same time kids are going to the bus stop," Kucsan said. "It's dangerous and sidewalks alleviate that."

When representatives of Frey tract offered sidewalks on one side, municipal officials said they would prefer both sides.

Supervisors are on board with extending Hartman Road and changing the zoning, township Manager Timm Tenges said following the meeting.

Frey tract representatives said they would adding 48 additional parking spaces.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2011/08/lower_nazareth_supervisors_wan.html