Second Age-Restricted Community Applies for Permits in Upper Saucon

Board of Supervisors approved advertisement for a vote on an age-qualified community overlay designation requested by Traditions of America, a retirement community developer. The overlay would be used for a 124-acre property as well as 24 donated acres the Township could use for open space in the northwest corner of Lanark and West Hopewell Road on Monday night.

J.B. Reilly and David Biddison, of Traditions of America, appeared at the meeting Monday to request a vote on designating the property as age qualified. “I think we’ve shown an incredible amount of good faith from our standpoint,” said Reilly.

Traditions of America have proposed a 55+ development with 250 mixed housing units, with a starting price around $250,000, says Biddison.

This is the second age retricted community to apply for permits in Upper Saucon Township.  The development, constructed by John Blair custom homes, will be built on 71 acres and have 56 single and 24 twin homes. Prices for the homes are estimated to cost $500,000 to $1,000,000. 

As part of the proposed age qualified plan, the Traditions community intends to dedicate 24 acres to the Township to be used for athletic fields. The 24 acres to be dedicated is more than is required under any township regulations.

Of the 124 acres, a portion will be used to create playing fields near Hopewell Elementary School. No formal response from Southern Lehigh School District has been received about the plans for the playing fields but is considered vital for approval, says Supervisor Stephen Wagner.

“The Township would not move ahead if not for the playing fields,” he added.

Supervisor Dennis Benner made a motion to approve advertisement for the overlay. “You have to give these people the opportunity to get things done,” said Benner.

The proposed 24 acres for Hopewell playing fields will be discussed at the Southern Lehigh School Board Facilities meet scheduled for April 25^th.