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".

Allen Township is currently operating under a Declaration of Disaster Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Supervisors and Administration are working closely to ensure essential governmental functions continue and resources are available.

Because the Township building is closed to the public, the Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Board of Supervisors meeting will be conducted via a teleconference platform (by Zoom). Verbal public comment will be limited to agenda items. Verbal public comment on non-agenda items will be deferred until the next public meeting. As an alternative, public comments may be submitted in writing, prior to the meeting via email to manager@allentownship.org by 3:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

To attend the Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting of November 24, 2020 (7 PM) use the following teleconference link (as provided by Zoom):

Join Zoom Meeting November 24, 2020 Board of Supervisors Teleconference Link

Meeting ID: 837 1702 7500

Password: 994635

To Dial via phone based on your location:

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 837 1702 7500

Password: 994635

Please be advised the draft 2021 Allen Township Budget is available for public inspection. The preliminary budget as approved and authorizated for public inspection at the Board of Supervisors meeting of November 10, 2020 maintains the existing real estate tax millage rate of 5 mills. This rate remains unchanged since 2004. Final adoption of the 2021 Budget is scheduled for final consideration at the Board of Supervisors meeting of December 8, 2020, which will be held as part of the Board of Supervisors virtually meeting 7:00 PM. Meeting instructions will be published to the Township website on December 3rd, 2020.

Click hear to view the 2021 Draft Allen Township Budget.

Allen Township is currently operating under a Declaration of Disaster Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Supervisors and Administration are working closely to ensure essential governmental functions continue and resources are available.

Because the Township building is closed to the public, the Monday, September 21, 2020 Planning Commission meeting will be conducted via a teleconference platform (by Zoom). Verbal public comment will be limited to agenda items. Verbal public comment on non-agenda items will be deferred until the next public meeting. As an alternative, public comments may be submitted in writing, prior to the meeting via email to manager@allentownship.org by 3:00 P.M. on Monday, September 21, 2020.

To attend the Allen Township Planning Commission meeting of September 21, 2020 (7 PM) use the following teleconference link (as provided by Zoom):

Join Zoom Meeting September 21, 2020 Planning Commission Teleconference Link

Meeting ID: 849 2828 0505

Password: 991458

To Dial via phone based on your location:

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 849 2828 0505

Password: 991458

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is in the Preliminary Engineering Phase for the replacement of a bridge structure alogn Indian Trail Road spanning the Hokendauqua Creek.

Construction is anticipated to begin in Early 2022 and will take approximately one year.

Indian Trail Road will be closed at the project location indicated on the plans contained in the link below.

Indian Trail Road will be closed at the project location indicated while construction efforts are being performed. During Construction, access to all residential properties will be maintained.

For questions about this project, please contact: Michael Mignella P.E., Consultant Projecct Manager at 610-650-8101 or C-MMIGNELLA@PA.GOV

Click here for the Indian Trail Road Bridge Replacement Information

As a continued precautionary measure in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Allen Township continues to work with the public remotely to assure the Townships critical functions are preserved through phone calls and email as listed at the end of this update. Please note the important modification below regarding trash collection.

ALL ALLEN TOWNSHIP FACILITIES INCLUDING THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, YARD WASTE DROP-OFF AREA AND PARKS WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

ADDITIONALLY, ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS REMAIN CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Phone messages and mail will be monitored daily. The Public Works Department will be limited to emergency calls ONLY on an on-call basis.

If you need to submit anything larger than standard mail, to the Township Office, please use the Drop Box located to the left of this doorway under the sheltered gazebo marked "DROP BOX" during normal business hours (8AM-4PM). The Drop Box will be periodically emptied by Township Staff. If you have any items that need to be returned to you by the Township, such as permits or related correspondence, these items will either emailed or mailed via hardcopy by the US Postal Service.

Additionally, the following items are temporarily suspended, modified or cancelled:

* MODIFIED - EFFECTIVE MARCH 30th: Advanced Disposal Services will be requiring that all waste be bagged using 32 gallon trash bags in order to be collected. Loose trash will be left at the curb and not picked up by our company. For residents using trash can containers, all trash must still be bagged in the container in order to be collected. Loose trash in containers will also not be collected. This process does NOT include recycling. Recycling must remain loose in containers. This process is for the protection of everyone involved with the trash collection process, as well as the residents of our municipality in order to reduce the spread of the COVID19 virus.

* CANCELLED - Allen Township Electronics Recycling Event (which was scheduled for MARCH 28th, 2020)

* SUSPENDED - All Burning Permits. Due to the potential impact of open burning and in order to reserve our already stressed emergency services resources.

The Township Board of Supervisors and Staff are working diligently to assure that the critical functions of the Township remain in-place during this time, while preserving precious resources. The Township will continue to post updates responding to the situation as the it develops and as we are advised by public health agencies.

At this time there have been no known contact with the virus strain within the municipal facilities and the Board of Supervisors is taking this step as a public health precaution.

Thank you for your understanding during this time as we work together through this situation. Allen Township appreciates your cooperation and hopes the situation resolves in the very near term.

As a precautionary measure in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Effective Monday, March 16th, 2020, in an effort to help protect the public and Township officials/staff from spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Township offices will be closed to the public. We will continue to work with the public and remotely staff the Townships critical functions through phone calls and email.

Please direct any non-emergency fire-related questions to firechief@allentwpfire.com

If you need to submit anything larger than standard mail, to the Township Office, please use the Drop Box located to the left of front doorway under the sheltered gazebo marked "DROP BOX" during normal business hours (8AM-4PM). The Drop Box will be periodically emptied by Township Staff. If you have any items that need to be returned to you by the Township, such as permits or related correspondence, these items will either emailed or mailed via hardcopy by the US Postal Service.

Additionally, the following items are temporarily suspended or cancelled:

* CANCELLED - ALL TOWNSHIP public meetings, ALL organized activities which were planned to occur in Township Parks (such as sports groups) until further notice * CANCELLED - Allen Township Electronics Recycling Event (which was scheduled for MARCH 28th, 2020) * SUSPENDED - All Burning Permits. Due to the potential impact of open burning and in order to reserve our already stressed emergency services resources.

Thank you for your understanding during this time as we work together through this situation.

Again, you are urged to limit your trips to the Township office. The Township Board of Supervisors and Staff are working diligently to assure that the critical functions of the Township remain in-place during this time. The Township will continue to post updates responding to the situation as the it develops and as we are advised by public health agencies.

At this time there have been no known contact with the virus strain within the municipal facilities and the Board of Supervisors is taking this step as a public health precaution.

Allen Township appreciates your cooperation and hopes the situation resolves in the very near term.

Allen Township Public Works Department is seeking entry level, hardworking, motivated and multi skilled applicants to fill the position of Equipment Operator/Utility. Candidates should have experience in the construction field and be comfortable working with various equipment and power tools. Knowledge and experience in asphalt, masonry and public sanitary sewer work plus. Duties include, but are not limited to, routine road maintenance, catch basin repairs and building maintenance. Experience with backhoes, loaders, excavators and various paving equipment is highly desired. Duties will include with snow and ice removal. Must be available at all times for emergency call out. Must have HS Diploma, or equivalent. Must possess a valid PA driver’s license in good standing with CDL Class B w/air brake endorsement (minimum) required. Candidates are subject to pre-employment Drug Test and Random Drug and Alcohol Tests (if employed). Competitive salary and excellent benefits package. Applications will not be accepted through email or online. Application forms are available on the Township website: www.allentownship.org. Applications must be submitted in person or through the mail to: Allen Township Municipal Building, 4714 Indian Trial Road, Northampton, PA 18067 Monday thru Friday 9am – 3pm

CLICK HERE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.

Please be advised that the Township has been contacted by USDA regarding the confirmation of the Spotted Lanternfly and added to the area of quarantine effective September 21st, 2017 due to the confirmed present of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. The quarantine is an important legal designation. The quarantine order directs residents and municipal authorities to follow guidelines to prevent the movement of Spotted Lanternflies at any stage of development. This includes inspecting all wood and vegetation that might leave a quarantined municipality, in addition to inspecting vehicles, trailers, and other mobile equipment prior to moving it out of a quarantined area.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive that is new to the United States. Spotted Lanternflies are native to Southeast Asia, but they have been introduced to other areas of Asia as well - including Korea, where Spotted Lanterflies are a major pest to agriculture. Spotted Lanternflies are reproducing quickly in areas of southeastern Pennsylania and have become a major threat to Pennsylvania's agriculture and forestry industries.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture general quarantine imposes limitations for moving the following items from the quarantine area: * Any living life stage of the Spotted Lanternfly * Brush, debris, bark or yard waste * Landscaping, remodeling or construction waste * Logs, stumps or any tree parts * Firewood of any species * Packing materials like wood crates * All plants and plant parts * Outdoor household articles like RV's, lawnmowers, chairs, grills, tarps, tile, stone,lumber and trucks or other vehicles not stored indoors.

However, you can still move these items and similar items if you complete the Certification Checklist found at the link below. Plant nursery, mulch producers or other similar commercial enterprise should contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture regarding the necessary compliance agreement.

Current Quarantine Map.

Residents Spotted Lanternfly Certification Checklist.

Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine.

Allen Township requests all residents using the yard waste drop off/pickup area at the Municipal Building (or FRCA Processing Site) be sure to secure all incoming/outgoing loads of material. Please take this matter seriously at tie down all material in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Code!

Allen Township receives police services via the Pennsylvania State Police. Our area is served by Troop M located at the Bethlehem Station located in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Townships officials are in contact with the State Police on a regular basis and work closely to ensure our community is kept safe. In case of an emergency always dial 911. To contact the Troop M Bethlehem Station for questions or non-emergency concerns dial 610-861-2026.

The attached brochure, entitled Accessing Your State Police provides guidance regarding appropriate information to have available when and if there is a need for a resident to contact State Police. Please keep this information as well as the emergency and non-emergency information listed available at all times.