At their meeting of Tuesday, November 24, 2020 the Board of Supervisors authorized the preparation of a draft amendment to the Allen Township Zoning Ordinance to resolve the validity challenge/curative amendment based upon the Willow Brook Farms Mixed-Use Community Plan, dated September 2020. Please check the Township website and agendas for updates (Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors)regarding this ongoing proceeding as this matter is expected to require multiple meetings to conclude.
As a matter of background, on May 3rd, 2019, Allen Township recieved the challenge to the substantive validity of the Allen Township Zoning Ordinance and request for curative amendment pursuant to Section 609.1 and 916.1 of the Municipalities Planning Code.
Pursuant to an excerpt of the challenge/filing as recieved from the property owners the request includes as follows:
"19. In order to cure the invalidity of the zoning of the undeveloped portions of the Willow Brook Property, Landowners seek a curative amendment: (a) rezoning a 55.47 acre portion of the Willow Brook Property, on the west side of the Catasauqua Creek, to the R-2 zoning district so that it can be developed with 73 age-restricted single-family detached dwellings, 48 age-restricted semi¬detached dwellings, and 54 age-restricted townhouses ("West Tract"); (b) rezoning a 38.04 acre portion of the Willow Brook Property, on the east side of the Catasauqua Creek, to the R-3 zoning district so that it can be developed with 214 multifamily dwellings ("North Tract"); and rezoning a 42.26 acre portion of the Willow Brook Property, on the east side of the Catasauqua Creek, to the R-3 zoning district so that it can be developed with 322 multifamily dwellings ("South Tract") as depicted on a Willow Brook Farm Challenge Plan dated December 1, 2018, prepared by Philip C. Seibert, RLA ("Challenge Plan") attached hereto as Exhibit "B". A copy of Landowner's Proposed Curative Amendment to the Zoning Map is attached hereto and made part hereof as Exhibit "C".
20. As depicted on the Challenge Plan, approximately 25.00 acres of the Willow Brook Property will continue to be used as a farm and equestrian center ("Farm Tract").
21. As depicted on the Challenge Plan, approximately 39.93 acres of the Willow Brook Property (plus 42.03 acres in North Catasauqua Township) will continue to be used as a golf course and clubhouse and permitted accessory uses ("Golf Tract")."
Click here for the filing and associated exhibits including the Challenge Plan Map (May 3rd, 2019):
Willowbrook Challenge to the Substantive Validity of the Allen Township Zoning Ordinance and Request for Curative Amendment Pursuant to Sections 609.1 and 916.1 of the Municipalities Planning Code Text and Willowbrook Challenge Plan.
Click here to view the plan presented to the Board of Supervisors at their meeting of November 24, 2020 to be used in the drafting of a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment
"Willow Brook Farms Mixed-Use Community Conceptual Plan for Settlement Purposes".