BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – The Bethlehem Township Planning Commission tabled a subdivision plan for a cluster housing development Monday night at the municipal building.

The proposal, offered by Jaindl Land Co. and known as Farmersville Estates, calls for single-family homes on 190 building lots on 290 acres by Nazareth Pike, Farmersville Road, Butztown Road and Green Pond Road —north of Route 22. The lot is currently agricultural farmed land and rests in the township’s Agricultural Zoning district.

Of the 290 acres which consist of four parcels, 214 acres rest in Bethlehem Township. Three of the four parcels are north of Route 22 and are bounded by Hecktown Road to the west and Farmersville Road to the east, Route 22 to the south and undeveloped property to the north. The municipal boundary between Bethlehem Township and Lower Nazareth Township is located immediately north of the parcels. The four parcels will be consolidated.

A 35-acre parcel south of Route 22 will be preserved for open space. Additional open space is proposed within the developed area on the north side of the highway. The open space will consist of recreation space for residents such as pocket parks, small ball fields, walking trails and landscaped coves.

The original plan proposed 206 homes but was reduced by 16 units after discussions with the township. The cluster plan offers the township guaranteed open space, whereas Jaindl could pursue a by-right development which would prove denser.

Blue Sky Farms

Planners reviewed a sketch plan for another housing development. The development, Blue Sky Farms, calls for 41 single-family homes on 11 acres at 4047 Bethman Road. Under the proposal, a farmhouse on the property will be converted into a clubhouse. The property is located in the township’s Low Density Residential district.

Developers said Monday night the homes would feature three or four bedrooms with multiple home options available. The development will include agricultural space, a dog park and walking paths. The homes will be marketed to empty nesters and professional employees. Developers said the project would assist in addressing a regional housing shortage.

Planners who discussed the project Monday night questioned the project’s density, considered too intense, and expressed concerns about the homes’ diminutive sizes. Others disputed the developer’s claim that the project would actually address mid-market housing shortages.

As a sketch plan, the planning commission took no formal action.