55-Plus Community Proposed on Strawberry Acres

A 120-unit townhouse development for individuals ages 55 and older has been proposed on Strawberry Acres in Laurys Station.

The applicant, 5077 Overlook Road LLC, will present a sketch plan of the proposed development Tuesday to the North Whitehall Township Planning Commission.

The development would be built on a portion of the Strawberry Acre farm, which has been sold.

Township Manager Jeff Barlett said the new owners would need to apply for a variance to permit denser housing because the area is zoned agricultural/residential, which allows up to 90 units.

The zoning permits an overlay district for a 55+ community, Barlett said.

Strawberry Acres has been sold, but the former owners, Daniel and Pamela Haas, were permitted to operate the farm as part of the sales agreement, Bartlett said.

The developers will need to submit sewer plans, which could be either a septic system or a small sewer treatment.

The developers will need to get permission from the board of supervisors for the conditional use of the property and then present their design to the planning commission.