WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — It's still unclear when a decision will be made on the zoning violation issue surrounding the Paxos Group Builders and Developers and Haven Ridge Condominiums.
On Tuesday night, for the sixth time this year, the developers requested — and were granted by the township Zoning Hearing Board — a continuance to address charges they have violated a zoning ordinance prohibiting the renting or leasing of condominiums as apartments on Arey Lane.
The Paxos Group’s continuance request to the July meeting was granted by the board this month because only four board members were scheduled to be present at Tuesday’s meeting.
Paxos Realty LLC of Center Valley refutes claims it rented or leased the units as apartments, and claims the units meet the definition of condominiums.Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board
Paxos Group Builders and Developers, of Center Valley, were charged with renting apartments in Phase 3 of the Haven Ridge Condominiums subdivision at 2033 Arey Lane in Whitehall.
Renting apartments is not permitted in the High-Density Residential Without Apartments Zoning District without first establishing those units as condominiums as approved by the board of commissioners.
Paxos Realty LLC, of Center Valley, also was said to have been in similar violation in Lots 2011-2089 of the subdivision.
The realty company refutes claims it rented or leased the units as apartments, and claims the units meet the definition of condominiums.
Apartments are rented while condominiums are single owned units.
Real estate project delayed
A hearing continuance also was granted to real estate developer Graystone Capital Inc. of Bethlehem.
The continuance was granted because of the zoning board having only four members in attendance Tuesday.
The developer is requesting a one-year extension for variances regarding maximum impervious coverage, maximum building height, frontage and construction on steep slopes of a warehouse at 5100 and 5105 Beekmantown Road.
The zoning board granted the project approval by the zoning board.
The developer is also requesting an interpretation of the terms “warehouse” and “storage” to allow handling and processing of stored goods and the scope of uses in a warehouse at those addresses.
Dental office
The board denied a variance request by developer Talal Rajha for use of his building at 4205 Lehigh St. as a dental office.
The property is in a medium density residential district, which is not permitted in that zoning district.
The applicant submitted a subdivision plan that previously was approved by the board of supervisors.
A medical practice had been in that building for 60 years until Rajha bought it in 2020, the applicant said.
Keeping chickens
The zoning board denied a request for a zoning variance by Yousif Jabir of 3216 S. Third St. to keep and raise eight chickens in a coop on the property outside his home.
