The Home News Your Local News
MAY 7-13, 2026
Photos of the Month
Trudy Unangst Glacier National Park July 2019
Chuck Longacre Fall Colors, Moore Township, PA October 18, 2023
50 cents
Allen Township Supervisors look at Adding data center use to Zoning ordinance
By KERI LINDENMUTH Following the approval of a proposed data center along Liberty Drive in March, the Allen Township Board of Supervisors is amending its zoning ordinance to include a data center use. This amendment will give the township the power to define where future data centers may be constructed and outline regulations that will keep the centers in check. The draft reviewed during the April 28 Board of Supervisors meeting would allow data center uses in the new, so-called
Data Center Overlay District. This location would be limited to the area of the township west of Howertown Road, north of Route 329, south of Horner Road and east of the township boundary with Northampton Borough. This land is currently zoned Industrial Commercial. Supervisor Gary Behler, also a member of the township’s Planning Commission, said this area is “the best” location in the township for data centers. The land is currently home to several warehouses and large quarries. Aside from the location, Behler
also wanted to ensure the amendment keeps residents’ concerns in mind, many of which were voiced during previous meetings. “There are three big things residents are concerned about,” he said, “Electrical consumption, ... water (and how it is used) ... and noise.” The amendment strongly encourages data centers to have their own power source. The center approved in March is funding its own private substation, powered by PPL. Continued on page 6
Lehigh Township continues discussion On data center ordinance
By LAURA KLOTZ The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors met on April 28 to discuss a number of resolutions and accept bids on some of the township vehicles. The residences at Becker Mobile Homes, on route 145 in Walnutport, are being connected to the Walnutport public water system. A representative of the Walnutport Municipal Authority confirmed that Becker is abandoning its current water treatment plant. The change was approved by Lehigh Township's Planning Commission and accepted by supervisors.
Township Manager Alice Rehrig has edited the wording on the existing application for a permit to consume alcohol in township parks. At the recommendation of Township Solicitor David M. Backenstoe, supervisors agreed to accept the edited application pending the approval of the township's insurance company. Rehrig will make sure that the rules posted in each park are consistent with the relevant ordinance. Supervisors voted to approve the sale of four township vehicles to three individuals who placed winning bids. The 2002 Freight-
liner will be purchased by Richard Libbey for $7,300, the 2007 and 2008 Ford F-350 pickup trucks will be purchased by Justin Kwasnoski for a total of $5,300 and the 2016 Dodge Charger will be purchased by Carl Kresge for $1,550. Continued on page 8
85th Year, Issue No. 19 www.homenewspa.com
USPS 248-700