Waldheim Park Could Become Trailer Park

The quaint cottages in the 108-year-old Waldheim Park community could one day sit next to mobile homes

Founded in 1904 as a religious summer retreat by the Evangelical Congregational Church, Waldheim Park was visited by many of the same families for decades. The wooded community on South Mountain sits tucked behind Allentown's busy W. Emmaus Avenue and Hall Street.

A few residents live there year-round. The complex has a covered outdoor worship center, an outdoor pool, grass parking and recreation areas. Many of the bungalows are in disrepair and, according to the comprehensive plan, suffer from septic system malfunctions or use outdated septic systems.

Salisbury's planning commission, which has been revising the comprehensive plan over the last two years,. The board is still reviewing the plan and has not set a date when it will vote on it.

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code requires townships to create comprehensive plans, which provide a guideline for Salisbury's plan was last updated in 1992.

The law requires townships to provide for a variety of land use and housing types, including manufactured home parks or mobile homes in areas designated medium-high density residential.

Salisbury already has two manufactured home parks along the south side of Susquehanna Street and Seidersville Road, near Gilly Avenue.