Emmaus council amends Parkside at North lighting plan, removes two streetlights

Emmaus Borough Council on Oct. 25 voted to amend Resolution 2020-10 to remove two streetlights from the approved lighting plan for the Parkside at North development, provided the developer records an amended plan at Lehigh County.

Council members heard from the borough solicitor and developer Wesley Barrett, who said installing the two poles proved impractical because of utility-connection issues and placement that could have put a pole adjacent to a driveway. The borough engineer and planning commission raised no objection, the solicitor said.

The motion, as read into the record, directed that the two lights be eliminated from the approved plan on the condition that the developer file an as-built or amended plan at the county showing the change. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Dufresne and carried after an affirmative voice vote.

Wesley Barrett, the developer, told the council the lights were originally submitted to PPL but the application stalled amid staff turnover and later was returned to the borough. Barrett said the poles would have been borough-owned and that one proposed pole was effectively adjacent to a driveway, creating a safety and practicality concern. He also said additional lighting on nearby buildings already illuminated the area.

The borough solicitor explained that because the lighting plan had been approved by resolution, the council must amend that resolution to enact the change and asked for an amended plan to be recorded with the county showing removal of the two poles.

Council Chair Anders called for the vote after no further discussion; the motion passed by voice vote.