Lehigh President Outlines Plan for U. Saucon Land

Lehigh University president Alice Gast discussed the school's plans for a large tract it owns in Upper Saucon Township at a board of supervisors meeting Monday night.

The land—which is north of Center Valley Parkway in between Routes 309 and 378—was donated to Lehigh by Donald Stabler last year.

Gast said Lehigh has no immediate plans for its use, but identified chunks at the eastern end of the property as "mission critical" for Lehigh, meaning they are likely to be targeted for future academic use.

Other pieces of the property closer to Route 309 could be sold or leased to others, as long as their plans for them fit with Lehigh's goals and objectives, Gast said.

When asked by supervisor Jack DeMatos about a possible timeline for land development, Gast said the school is taking a "long-term" view of its asset in Upper Saucon Township.

"We are very cognizant of our responsibilities," she said.

In response to another question -- about the possibility of rezoning some or all of the land -- Gast added that "at this point we see no need to go beyond the current zoning that has been so carefully laid out over the past years."

Supervisors chairman Steve Wagner told Gast that the board looks "forward to hearing from Lehigh again regarding the plans."

Photo: Lehigh University president Alice Gast addresses the Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors at a meeting held Monday, Aug. 12, 2013.