ALLENTOWN – The Borough Council has made clear its commitment to preserving land on Allentown’s borders by appropriating funds for what officials are calling a greenbelt professional team.
According to a resolution council members passed on Nov. 12, the governing body “is committed to open space preservation and stopping warehouses at our borders to complete the greenbelt around our community” and “has decided to set aside funds for professional services in the fight to complete the greenbelt.”
Council President Thomas Fritts, Councilman Rob Schmitt, Councilman John A. Elder III, Councilman Michael Drennan and Councilman Robert Strovinsky voted “yes” on a motion to pass the resolution. Councilwoman Angela Anthony was absent.
Funds in an amount not to exceed $17,500 have been appropriated by the council. Individual resolutions approving the appointment of professional contracts for these services will eventually be required.
The funds will be used for legal services in an amount not to exceed $5,000; traffic engineering services in an amount not to exceed $5,000; planning services in an amount not to exceed $5,000; and environmental services in an amount not to exceed $2,500, according to the resolution.
Nancy Tindall, who chairs the Allentown Environmental Commission, outlined the reasons behind the commission’s request for the creation of a greenbelt professional team in an Oct. 14 letter to the Borough Council.
Tindall wrote that the environmental commission “has been a proponent, for some time, of a greenbelt surrounding Allentown. The greenbelt provides a sense of place and protects the historic setting of our village; it preserves sensitive environmental, historical and cultural resources; it mitigates the stress on our air, water and climate.
“We recognize the borough has made a commitment to the greenbelt as well. The
borough has a history of land conservation and creating a greenbelt, namely the preservation of Heritage Park and lands along Breza Road, all part of the greenbelt, and initiating participation in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Planned Incentive Program that targeted greenbelt properties.
“However, we also recognize key properties are at risk to development which would have a serious impact on our long-term goals for our community and our environment. We believe we need to prepare to address those risks.
“While the environmental commission has been collecting information on the properties
in the greenbelt to support potential decisions regarding the greenbelt properties, we strongly recommend that the Borough Council engage a team of experts who can represent the borough in this effort by coaching, advocating and developing the compelling arguments for preserving the greenbelt to both property owners and governmental (municipal, county and state) officials,” Tindall wrote.
On Nov. 12, the council members accepted the environmental commission’s request and authorized funding for a greenbelt professional team.