New Proposal for Pinebrook Jr. College: 38 Townhomes

The latest development proposal for the former Pinebrook Junior College site in Coopersburg calls for the construction of 38 townhomes, borough council solicitor Chris Gittinger told borough council at a recent meeting.

The property is currently zoned in a way that would accommodate 13 townhomes, and the developer's previous proposal called for 19 homes to be built, council was told.

Council president Jack Felch said he was glad the developer who is proposing the homes had finally submitted a formal draft plan, "but it needs some serious consideration," he stressed.

"This needs a black letter review," Felch said after Gittinger told council the developer had requested it deliberate that evening in executive session.

Gittinger said a discussion about the submitted plan would not have been appropriate for an executive session, which is held behind closed doors.

The solicitor said the proposal includes various developer demands that would have to be met by the borough before demolition of the former junior college would begin.

Another issue that council will have to consider is that the borough doesn't currently "have a zoning category that allows this dense a development," he said.

Felch reminded other council members that any zoning issues related to the plan will ultimately have to be resolved by council, since the borough has no planning commission.

The redevelopment of the Pinebrook property, which has been vacant for a number of years, "is absolutely a high priority of the borough," he said.