Housing project at Green Pond Marsh hits a snag

Glossy Ibis: One of the species seen at Green Pond

Special to The Bird House

With last week's heavy downpour on everyone's mind, Bethlehem Township planners on Monday evening delayed action on a proposed 261-unit housing project near Green Pond Marsh because of concerns about managing storm water from the site.

The planners voted 5-1 to suspend review of the development plan until they learn more about the effects that water runoff that would have on the marshlands and on homes downstream. The vote means that the developer, Traditions of America, won't be able to move ahead until late summer at the earliest.

"This is a huge roadblock for them," said John Glagola, who heads the citizens group Save Green Pond. "They thought they would sail through the planning process but that's not going to happen."

Traditions of America, based in Radnor, wants to build a gated housing community catering to people age 55 and older who have the means to buy one of its $470,000 homes.

The 119-acre site adjoins the Green Pond Country Club—a key selling point for the developer.

It also adjoins the marsh, which the National Audubon Society says is an Important Bird Area, a designation given to special habitats for birds. Over the years, 182 different bird species have been identified at the marsh. Many of them are migrants that use the wetlands as a stopping-off point during their long-distance journeys. Eight of the species are either endangered or threatened in Pennsylvania.

During the past month, engineers and consultants have peppered the township planners with memos analyzing aspects of the development project but none of the reports specifically evaluated what storm water might have on the wetlands' water level or water quality.

Attorney Tom Elliott, who represents Save Green Pond, said the omission is serious because a township ordinance requires a public airing of storm water management issues.

Last week's intense rainstorm caused flooding problems throughout the area, as a resident of Church Road pointed out. Flooding also occurs along Nancy Run during lesser storms. The headwaters of that creek include some of the wetlands adjoining Green Pond.

Planning commission member Kenn Edinger said it would be prudent to wait for fuller analysis.

"I do believe that water quality should be looked at," Edinger said. "Whether it is detrimental to birds, we don't know."

At Edinger's suggestion, the planners voted to delay review of the project until the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission weighs in with its analysis. Les Walker cast the lone vote against tabling the project. Chairwoman Lee Stover abstained.

As a practical matter, the soonest the township planning commission could proceed with its review would be at its meeting on August 24.