S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners on Wednesday night authorized the township to amend an exploratory water well drilling agreement.
The change with Jeras Corporation would add an additional company parcel to the properties where South Whitehall may conduct hydrogeologic investigations to find whether viable municipal groundwater sources exist.
The additional parcel consists of 28 acres on North Cedar Crest Boulevard. Properties in the original agreement include 400 acres at 2493 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. and 390 acres at 2309-2371 Minnich Road. With the amendment, the exploratory area covered the agreement increases from 790 acres to 818 acres.
According to meeting documents, the township “periodically evaluates potential groundwater resources in order to ensure the long-term reliability and sustainability of the municipal public water supply.”
Outdoor storage project
The board also granted a developer a time extension to address conditions associated with a project’s approval Wednesday night.
The applicant, Triple Net Investments CI LLC, was granted approval on March 20, 2024, to construct a parking area with 79 spaces for tractor-trailers, spaces for standard-sized parking and a guard shack for a project known as 1429 Eck Road Outdoor Storage. A total of 15 conditions were attached to the approval.
One condition required Triple Net to record the plans by March 20, 2025. Prior to that date, the applicant requested and received an extension and later requested and received a second extension. The first extension was for 180 days, while the second was for six months.
On Wednesday night, Triple Net sought and received a third extension as its second extension ends Sept. 16. This time, the company sought a one-year extension through Sept. 16, 2027.
The company has been negotiating with a third party for most of the year, which has caused the delay, according to the applicant’s attorney.
Township solicitor
The board authorized staff to issue a request for proposals involving the township solicitor.
South Whitehall’s administration will seek firms with various legal qualifications. These include municipal experience, staffing and continuity, practice capabilities, conflicts, references, overall values and their fee structure.
Some of South Whitehall’s law practices include land use and zoning, real estate, procurement and construction, litigation, finance and code enforcement.
The selected firm will be expected to provide primary solicitor coverage for commissioners’ bi-monthly meetings. It will also provide backup coverage for planning commission meetings when the township’s director for legal affairs is unavailable.
Solicitor Joseph Zator of Zator Law Offices said during the meeting he does not intend to apply for the position. Zator has served as solicitor since 2011.