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Lehigh Valley Hospital asks Pocono Township to stay neutral on larger signs for new micro‑hospital
Summary
Lehigh Valley Health Network sought township neutrality before the zoning hearing board for enlarged signs at the Golden Slipper micro‑hospital; commissioners expressed concern about the size of a Route 611 sign and sight‑line impacts, and the applicant said it reduced digital messaging and will pursue zoning relief.
Lehigh Valley Health Network representatives told the Pocono Township Board on June 16 they had trimmed a previously proposed sign package for their new Golden Slipper micro‑hospital but still seek the township’s neutrality before a zoning hearing board review.
Graham Simmons, attorney for the applicant, said the hospital initially proposed a large freestanding sign visible from Interstate 80 and a 230‑square‑foot illuminated monument sign along Route 611 with electronic messaging. The applicant revised the proposal: the electronic messaging area on the I‑80 sign was reduced to roughly 10 by 20 feet and the Route 611 sign was reduced to about 195 square feet with no electronic messaging center. Simmons said the changes would be reflected in an amended zoning application.
Joe Pinto, regional chief operating officer for Lehigh Valley Hospital, said the facility includes an 11‑bed emergency room and inpatient unit and that some patients have driven past the site because current signage is hard to read at highway speeds. "When you have somebody in an emergency, they need to be able to make that decision comfortably and know where they're going," Pinto said.
Commissioners and staff, however, raised safety and aesthetics concerns. Several said the proposed 611 sign could obstruct sight lines at a nearby intersection and that the large sign footprint conflicts with the board’s desire to limit billboard‑scale signage along Route 80 and within the township’s scenic corridor. Staff noted that any sign in excess of township standards will require a zoning hearing board application and PennDOT approval for signs affecting the state right‑of‑way.
Dave (Reed Sign Company) and the applicant said the signs can be located where the existing signs sit and that PennDOT approval would be sought. Board members signaled general acceptance of a larger I‑80 sign if scaled down but several opposed the size of the Route 611 monument sign and asked staff to question sight‑line impacts and traffic safety at that location.
Simmons said the hospital wants the township to remain neutral at the zoning hearing and not oppose the request; several commissioners said they would likely oppose the 611 sign while remaining open on the 80 sign. The applicant said it will file evidence with the zoning board and pursue required permits.
