ALLENTOWN, Pa. \u2014 An Allentown developer\u2019s lawsuit against the City of Allentown over issues with a homeless encampment near his residential property will carry on.<\/p>\n
Lehigh County Judge Douglas Reichley on Monday set a second status conference in the lawsuit developer Nat Hyman, of Hyman Properties, filed against the city over a homeless encampment and trash near his properties<\/a> bordering the Jordan Park Greenway and Jordan Creek.<\/p>\n The new hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in Judge Doug Reichley’s courtroom.<\/p>\n Lehigh County Court preceding<\/p>\n The new hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in Reichley’s courtroom.<\/p>\n Hyman alleges the city’s failure to address the conditions constitutes a public nuisance and violates environmental laws. He claims trespass, damage and pollution on his land are harming his investments and tenants.<\/p>\n The encampment contains 30 to 50 unlicensed and unregistered tents and huts, the lawsuit said.<\/p>\n The parties will return to court next month to provide the judge with the status of any potential resolution.<\/p>\n If no resolution has been reached, court deadlines will be set to continue to litigate the matter.<\/p>\n Hyman was represented in court on Monday by attorney James Scanlon of Norris McLaughlin law firm.<\/p>\n The city was represented by Adam Rosenthal, deputy solicitor.<\/p>\n New hearing precedes deadline<\/p>\n Hyman\u2019s lawsuit, filed in March, is the first legal challenge to the city’s directive to clean, rather than clear, encampments.<\/p>\n Reichley recently rejected the city\u2019s bid to have Hyman\u2019s lawsuit dismissed.<\/p>\n The September status conference is 10 days before the city has directed the homeless encampment to be vacated<\/a>.<\/p>\n