Jaindl Land Co. Pitches Rezoning Petition

Jaindl Land Co. attorneys asked Upper Macungie Township supervisors to fast-track a rezoning petition Thursday night, but the board said proper procedure will be followed by township planners.

Jaindl attorney Joseph Zator requested that the township consider swapping zoning for a 25-acre tract at Route 100 and Industrial Blvd. -- currently zoned light industrial -- with a tract at Schantz Road and Route 100. That tract is zoned highway commercial.

The request didn't sit well with supervisor Sam Ashmar, who also is a member of the township's Planning Board.

"I don't see the upside to this and I'm a little disturbed that we received this at 3:50 in the afternoon today," Ashmar said. "That's a big decision to expect a rush to conclusion."

Ashmar said Jaindl Land Co. has a conceptual plan in place to develop the land for an undisclosed employer who could bring approximately 200 jobs into the area.

Ashmar said he didn't see a big upside for the township.

"Why are we in the middle of this? You'll really have to sell me on what the upside to the township is. The traffic there is already a nightmare. I don't want to fast-pace this. I need time to digest it," he told Zator.

The matter was referred to a Sept. 21 meeting of the planning commission.

Elsewhere, township officials were quick to laud responders who worked diligently through Hurricane Irene last week.

"All three fire companies worked hard through the hurricane from 7 p.m. Saturday night until 8 p.m. the next night. And the road crew did an excellent job on Sunday," said supervisor chairman Edward Earley.

Berks-Lehigh Police Investigator Peter Nickischer informed supervisors of a rash of automobile thefts in recent days.

Nickischer said all of the vehicle theft were fron unlocked cards including one from which .40-caliber handgun was stolen, something he called "disturbing."

Nickischer called on all residents to lock their car doors.