ALLENTOWN, Pa. — An Allentown developer’s lawsuit against the City of Allentown over issues with a homeless encampment near his residential property will carry on.
Lehigh County Judge Douglas Reichley on Monday set a second status conference in the lawsuit developer Nat Hyman, of Hyman Properties, filed against the city over a homeless encampment and trash near his properties bordering the Jordan Park Greenway and Jordan Creek.
The new hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in Judge Doug Reichley's courtroom.Lehigh County Court preceding
The new hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in Reichley's courtroom.
Hyman alleges the city's failure to address the conditions constitutes a public nuisance and violates environmental laws. He claims trespass, damage and pollution on his land are harming his investments and tenants.
The encampment contains 30 to 50 unlicensed and unregistered tents and huts, the lawsuit said.
The parties will return to court next month to provide the judge with the status of any potential resolution.
If no resolution has been reached, court deadlines will be set to continue to litigate the matter.
Hyman was represented in court on Monday by attorney James Scanlon of Norris McLaughlin law firm.
The city was represented by Adam Rosenthal, deputy solicitor.
New hearing precedes deadline
Hyman’s lawsuit, filed in March, is the first legal challenge to the city's directive to clean, rather than clear, encampments.
Reichley recently rejected the city’s bid to have Hyman’s lawsuit dismissed.
The September status conference is 10 days before the city has directed the homeless encampment to be vacated.
Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk originally set Aug. 25 as the date the encampment was to be vacated. The mayor has since extended the date to Sept. 29.
Allentown’s announcement of the encampment evacuation raised concern among advocates for the Lehigh Valley’s homeless population.
The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley last month announced plans to open a warming station at River Crossing YMCA on South 15th Street ahead of schedule to accommodate the displaced, prompting Tuerk to extend the deadline.
Tuerk has repeatedly said the encampment’s ongoing eviction is not related to Hyman’s lawsuit against the city, but because fire officials deemed it a risk to those residents’ safety because it is located in a flood zone.
Staff writer Jason Addy contributed to this report
