Ex-Supervisor: Tear Down "Illegal" Wall in Forks

Bonnie Nicholas is trying to break through a wall.

The former Forks Township supervisor has appeared before the Board of Supervisors trying to cut through some bureaucratic red tape involving township zoning laws regarding the construction of a neighbor's wall near her home.

You've probably seen the pinkish fortress constructed in front of the home on Bushkill Drive as you head over the Bushkill Creek near Penn Pump Park and into Palmer Township.

Nicholas, though, hasn't gotten many answers -- even though she's sent many emails and turned over numerous documents to supervisors regarding what the township zoning laws allow.

And she said it's not a wall that is over 4 feet high and turning into an eyesore along the section of Bushkill Drive where it intersects with Hill Road, where Nicholas lives.

Nicholas, who presented a copy of the township zoning ordinance to supervisors at last Thursday night's meeting, stated that the wall is located in a historic district that is supposed to protect properties such as mills and farms by preserving the cultural landscape.

Nicholas has been in touch with Township Manager John Cornell after Zoning Officer Tim Weis stated that the wall did not violate township zoning laws.

"At what point does the homeowner have a say?" Supervisor David Billings wondered.

"The property owner was issued a permit," Cornell said. "Anyone can appeal."

Billings and Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss suggested to Nicholas that she take her wall dispute to the township's zoning board.

Nicholas also wondered why work was continuing on the wall when she thought that township officials had placed a halt on construction until the matter could be resolved.

"He (Weis) stopped the work," Cornell said. "But he started work again with everything taking place (Hurricane Sandy). For a good part of the week, Tim was involved with the storm."