Lynn Township planners discuss RR rezoning options and Lehigh County Authority sewer capacity; no action taken

At the Sept. 16 meeting, the Lynn Township Planning Commission discussed possible rezoning and development options for parts of the Rural Residential (RR) district and whether the Lehigh County Authority (LCA) sewer service area could support additional hookups.

Commissioner Perry Long and other members circulated maps showing RR parcels, LCA sewer coverage and preserved farmland. Perry calculated that the RR zoning district covers about 211 acres (roughly 25% of which is roadway), and the commission noted the township contains approximately 26,268 acres total, with about 9,000 acres already preserved. Members said the RR acreage available for development is small relative to the township’s total land area.

Greg Snyder asked whether LCA is pursuing plant expansion or whether the township should seek additional EDU allocations; the commission said it has not requested expansion and that the Board of Supervisors previously declined to pursue discussions with LCA on expansion. Commissioners expressed concern about the plant nearing capacity and whether residents in the sewer-service area have realistic options for new on-lot septic when they are beyond 150 feet from a main (a point Greg said he learned from the SEO). Greg agreed to follow up with Ian (the SEO) and to explore whether an LCA representative could appear before the commission.

No rezoning action or vote was taken. Members agreed to collect more information, including the LCA’s intentions regarding EDU distribution and confirmation of septic/connection distance standards from the SEO, before considering formal zoning changes.