Zoning Hearing Board

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The South Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board is a five-member board of residents appointed by the Board of Commissioners. They serve a 5 year term or until they are replaced by the BOC.  They serve voluntarily without pay.

 

Zoning Hearing Board Members

 

  • Don KleinChairman (Term expiration: 3/2025)
  • David Eisenberg | Vice Chairman (Term expiration: 3/2023)
  • Kenneth Navitsky Secretary (Term expiration: 10/2023)
  • Lee Solt | Member (Term expiration: 7/2026)
  • Dennis Toomey | Member (Term expiration: 10/2023)
  • Glenn Guanowsky  |  Alternate Member  (Term expiration:  4/2028)
  • Vacancy  |  Alternate Member
  • Vacancy  |  Alternate Member
  • Thomas H. Dinkelacker | Solicitor
  • John M. Ashcraft, III | Alternate Solicitor

 

If you are interested in serving on this Board, please click on the Volunteer Board Member Application link below to print out, complete, and return to the Township as explained on the form - There are currently (2) alternate member positions open on the Zoning Hearing Board.

Volunteer Board Member Application Form

Letter of Intent for Board Reappointment Form

 


About the Board

The Zoning Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body that reviews appeals under the Township Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, they should not be directly contacted by any person having an interest in an appeal. Communication with the Zoning Hearing Board, prior to a hearing, should be accomplished only through the Zoning Hearing Board’s Solicitor and/or the Township Zoning Officer.

The Zoning Hearing Board's Solicitor is Thomas H. Dinkelacker.

The Township’s Zoning Officer is Laura Harrier.

The Zoning Hearing Board hears the following types of appeals:

  • Requests for variances: Variances are dispensations from the strict provisions of the Zoning Ordinance granted by the Zoning Hearing Board. Normally they are only granted when the applicant can demonstrate that physical constraints make it impossible or unduly burdensome to comply with the Zoning Ordinance. Also, the variance requested should not put the property out of character with the surrounding neighborhood. The Zoning Hearing Board may, if it wishes to, establish conditions of approval in rendering a decision.
  • Requests for a Favorable Interpretation: Where there is a conflict between the applicant’s reading of the Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Officer’s reading of the Ordinance, the applicant can appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board for a favorable interpretation that agrees with his/her own.
  • Special Exceptions: Certain schedules for certain zone districts have “Special Exception Uses” contained within them. Special Exception Uses are permitted uses that may be potentially detrimental. They are permitted only after a review by the Zoning Hearing Board, and permission is subject to any conditions the Zoning Hearing Board may attach.
  • Temporary Uses: When an event or activity that is not specifically listed as a permitted use in the Zoning Ordinance is planned for a short duration of time, applicants shall first seek permission from the Zoning Hearing Board. They must comply with any conditions the Board attaches.
  • Validity Challenges to the Land Use Ordinance: From time to time, the Township’s Land Use Ordinance may be challenged by a person who alleges defects in the Ordinance or raises procedural-type questions.

Applications for an appeal must be submitted by 4:00 PM on the cut-off date for the meeting as listed below. A copy of the Zoning Appeal Application can be found HERE.  The Zoning Hearing Board normally meets only on the fourth Wednesday of each month. The event calendar can be found at the bottom of this page. The overflow hearing dates are for emergency purposes only. Written decisions of the Board are sent to the appellants (and objectors, if any) within 45 days after the decision is announced.

 


Meeting Schedule and Information

All meetings are open to the public.
This Board meets at 7:00 PM in the Public Meeting Room of the Township Municipal Building , 4444 Walbert Avenue. 

Zoning Hearing Board hearing exhibits from past meetings, along with the Zoning Appeal Application and hearing procedures, can be found in the "Zoning Hearing Board Documents" section located at the top left of this page. Exhibits for upcoming meetings will be posted within the event notification found on the homepage.

Meeting Dates and Information:

APPEAL CUTOFF DATES HEARING DATES  OVERFLOW HEARING DATES
 2024
 December 20, 2023  January 24, 2024 February 1, 2024
January 24, 2024   February 28, 2024 March 7,  2024
February 21, 2024   March 27, 2024 April 4, 2024 
 March 20, 2024 April 24, 2024 May 2, 2024 
 April 17, 2024 May 22, 2024   June 6, 2024
 May 22, 2024 June 26, 2024  July 4, 2024
June 19, 2024  July 24, 2024   August 1, 2024
 July 24, 2024 August 28, 2024  September 5, 2024 
August 21, 2024  September 25, 2024  October 3, 2024 
September 18, 2024  October 23, 2024  November 7, 2024 
 October 3, 2024 November 7, 2024  December 5, 2024 
 October 31, 2024  December 5, 2024 No Overflow 
 2025
 December 18, 2024 January 22, 2025  February 6, 2025 

Zoning Hearing Board

Zoning Hearing Board meetings are held in person at the Township Municipal Building at 4444 Walbert Ave. They are also streamed on-line via the link found below. Please note that no virtual public participation will be allowed and no recording of the hearing will be posted on the Township website.

Learn more about the Zoning Hearing Board HERE.

The Public Meeting Rules can be found HERE.

 


Public Notice:

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Zoning Hearing Board of South Whitehall Township will hold a public hearing on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. in the South Whitehall Township Municipal Building located at 4444 Walbert Avenue, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, for the following zoning appeal:

ZHB-2023-10: The continued appeal of Allison Gallardo and Benjamin Witmer seeking a variance from Section 350-24(c)(2), Zoning District Schedule Rural Residential-2, of the South Whitehall Township Codified Ordinance (“Ordinance”) where a 25 feet Side Yard Setback is required, and the Applicant proposes a 13.4 Side Yard Setback to allow for the construction of a garage addition. The subject property is located at 2133 Loring Drive and is zoned (RR-2) Rural Residential-2 and detached garages as an accessory to a principal use are a permitted Use. Tax ID No. 547787435510-1.

ZHB-2024-03: The appeal of Jordan United Church of Christ seeking a Special Exception in accordance with Places of Worship Section 350-48(p)(4)(E)(3)(a) and (b) to allow for a on-premises sign with digital messaging. The subject property is located at 1837 Church Road and is zoned (RR) Rural Residential. Tax ID No. 547743084167-1.

Laura Harrier, Zoning Officer

  


Case Information:

 

ZHB-2023-10:

 ZHB-2023-10 - Amanda Gallardo - Packet - 2024.03.27

 ZHB-2023-10 - Amanda Gallardo - Memo to ZHB - 2024.03.27

 

ZHB-2024-03:

 This case will not be heard.  The application has been withdrawn.

 

 


Virtual Meeting Link Information:

 

SWT Zoning Hearing Board Hearing

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone HERE.

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