Forks Township supervisors want the township to be involved in discussions if the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority decides to sell Braden Airpark.
The board tonight unanimously voted to have solicitor Karl Kline prepare a resolution stating the township will maintain dialogue with the authority over the potential use of the land. An agreement would compel the authority to consult the township prior to recommending a sale of the property.
The township planning commission and Forks Township Business and Commerce Association would offer insight under the resolution.
The authority hired New Jersey-based master developer Rockefeller Group to help decide whether it should sell the airpark to help pay off a $16 million court-ordered debt. The airpark is just one of an estimated 15 properties totaling 700 to 800 acres near Lehigh Valley International Airport and owned by the authority being considered for sale.
Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss, a pilot himself, said he told the authority at September meeting the township should be consulted on any potential uses for the property.
He said both Northampton County council and the business and commerce association passed resolutions the property remain an airport. Current zoning allows for such uses as a school, park land, golf course or municipal building.
"We are a stakeholder in the airport,” Chuss said. “There are existing businesses there that would be impacted by that. It does have an impact on the residents.”
Supervisor David Billings warned the resolution must be worded carefully to make sure the municipality is being objective in case development plans at the airpark come before the supervisors.
Solicitor Karl Kline said he felt the authority might request a zoning change to get the highest value for the property, and agreed municipal officials should avoid showing any bias before having to decide whether to rezone the land.
“It’s a very valuable piece of land,” Kline said. “They’re going to say, what is the highest and best use for this? What can get the LAA the most money? That is probably what their recommendation is going to be.”
Chuss said the resolution would have to be voted on during the November regular meeting.
“We do need to move on it,” he said. “It’s going to happen very quickly.”
Lehigh Valley International Airport Executive Director Charles R. Everett Jr. said Wednesday he expects the concept plan by Rockefeller to be completed in November or December. The authority’s board of governors will review and consider the concept plan once completed, he said.
If both sides agree, Rockefeller can then submit what properties it is interested in acquiring, leasing or pursuing in a joint venture with the authority. It can also decline to pursue properties, which would return responsibility to the authority. The authority has to pay its $16 million legal debt by 2015.
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com
http://www.airnav.com/airport/N43
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