L. NAZARETH TWP., Pa. – The Lower Nazareth Planning Commission on Monday night recommended rejecting a curative amendment that would benefit the Nazareth Area School District.
The district’s efforts to build an elementary school on a five-parcel, 43-acre tract near the Hecktown Road and Country Club Road intersection have proved challenging. In May 2025, the district’s school board approved the lot’s purchase for a $1.7 million price tag. However, the land is zoned for agriculture. Last July, township supervisors voted 4-0 to deny the district’s request to rezone the property to allow the new school facility.
This led to Monday night’s curative amendment appeal. The argument, while multifaceted, could be summarized in that the township’s restrictions where the school district can or cannot locate school district facilities encumbers rights granted to NASD by the Pennsylvania Public School Code.
Julie Wagner Burkart, an attorney representing the school district, told the planning commission that the district conducted lengthy research to select the location. She added there are currently only three zoning districts in the township where the school could be built.
Matthew Deschler, an attorney representing the township, noted Monday night that sound planning principles were utilized to establish the zoning laws and that they should not be easily discarded to benefit NASD. He added the Pennsylvania Public School Code does not allow school districts to build schools wherever they want.
The district currently has three elementary schools which, according to the district, had 97% of their capacity being utilized. Further, NASD projects an additional 502 students will join the district by 2034.
The planning commission’s recommendation Monday night to reject the curative amendment is not the final say in the matter. The decision will move on to the Lower Nazareth Township Board of Supervisors, which will hold a public hearing on the curative amendment Sept. 15.
Prior to the public hearing, the school district is scheduled to hold two community information sessions. The first is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday night. The second is scheduled Aug. 25, following the NASD board of directors meeting.