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Consultant illness stalls zoning ordinance rewrite; Board seeks options while approving audit and setting wages
Summary
Consultant Charlie Schmehl is unable to finish Lehigh Township’s zoning ordinance rewrite due to illness; the Board said Pennoni Associates may finish part of the work but has not committed to the subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO). The Board adopted Resolution 2025‑1 to appoint a CPA for the audit (cost reported at $6,250) and set non‑union wages in executive session (amounts not disclosed).
Township staff told supervisors on Jan. 6 that the consultant hired to rewrite Lehigh Township’s zoning ordinance, Charlie Schmehl, cannot complete the project because of illness, leaving the Board to seek a replacement or firm to finish the remaining work.
Manager Alice Rehrig said Schmehl’s office contacted Pennoni Associates, which indicated it could finish the zoning ordinance for the contracted amount but had not committed to completing the SALDO. Board members noted that a new firm would likely need additional time and possibly additional funds to complete both documents because the new firm would have to review existing materials and the comprehensive plan.
"We only paid for the work that was completed," Supervisor Cindy Miller said while discussing contract obligations; supervisors tabled a final decision and directed staff to pursue options and confirm insurance and contractual responsibilities with the consultant’s office.
On new business the Board adopted Resolution 2025‑1 appointing a CPA to perform the township audit; Manager Rehrig said the audit cost is $6,250. During public comment Zoning Hearing Board member Katherine Mack asked whether the audit coincided with the end of Mary Trexler’s term and inquired about the audit amount; staff said the audit is in process and final amounts for other items will be provided once available.
The Board went into executive session to set non‑union wages and, on return, voted to set wages at the rates discussed in executive session; the Board did not disclose the specific percentages or dollar amounts in the public meeting.
Why this matters: completion of the zoning ordinance and the SALDO is central to land‑use regulation and development review in the township; contract gaps and uncompleted deliverables may require additional procurement or budget adjustments.
The Board tabled the zoning‑ordinance replacement decision while staff seeks options and confirmed the audit appointment and wage decisions.
