Lower Nazareth homeowners continue to protest controversial 500-apartment proposal before meeting

Traffic is so bad on Country Club Road, Cathy Nonnemacher fears being struck when she retrieves mail at the end of her driveway.

This traffic will only get worse if plans for a proposed development of nearly 500 apartments with offices and businesses are approved Wednesday by the Lower Nazareth Township supervisors, the township resident said.

“We are so afraid we’re going to get hit or rear-ended pulling into the driveway,” she said. “Because the cars and trucks are coming so fast behind you, even if you put your directional (signal) on in time, they slam on the brakes.”

Nonnemacher is one of a handful of township residents attempting to block the Stone Post Meadows complex on 52 acres at Hecktown and Country Club roads. Bethlehem-based K&S Land Development LLC's plans include 498 upscale apartments split evenly between two- and three-bedroom units, a clubhouse and pool.

Township planners initially recommended supervisors approve an overlay district for the project that would allow the apartments. Planners then went back on that decision in September and now have recommended the board approve only an office park.

K&S attorney James Preston did not immediately return an email or phone call for comment.

Beverly Hoyer, who owns Buzas Greenhouse and Farm at Newburg and Country Club roads with her husband, Robert, said she has a lot across the street from her business to handle overflow parking. If residents can’t cross Country Club Road, she could go out of business after more than five decades, she fears.

“At rush hour, 10 to 12 cars are already backed up deep,” she said. “It won’t be safe for (customers) to cross the road because people fly down the road to the stop sign.”

Country Club Road resident Gayle Kozak, who owns Hope Lock Farm, claims a Bethlehem Township, Pa., police officer often targets speeders at the end of the street -- a sign of what additional traffic will do for travel, she said.

“It’s congestion mayhem,” she said.

Melissa Lemoi, who also lives on Country Club Road, said there already are two other residential developments nearing construction in the vicinity: Madison Farms off Freemansburg Avenue in Bethlehem Township will have 837 homes, and apartments are planned on Van Buren Road in Palmer Township.

“Where do the people come from that are going to fill in these apartments?” asked Robert Hoyer. “There’s an overflow of apartments in this area.”

Stone Post Meadows representatives previously said the development will attract retirees, but Robert Hoyer argued many on fixed incomes can't afford the $1,400 to $1,500 monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment.

Nonnemacher continues to advocate for Northampton County's nearby Louise W. Moore Park, which she fears would be destroyed by new residents. She said crime and vandalism could increase and Scouting organizations might shy away from using the park.

“All these people are going to be affected,” Nonnemacher said.

Lower Nazareth Township Manager Timm Tenges said the supervisors care what residents have to say.

“They most definitely will listen to the concerns of the people and weigh their concerns against the so-called benefits -- or not -- of the project,” Tenges said.

Stone Post Meadows calls for two- and three-story buildings with "steep roofs, gables and dormers." Ten of the 52 acres would contain the office and business complex and about 25 percent of the project would be left as open space, including extensive meadows along Hecktown Road.

Source: Lehigh Valley Live