A rendering shows the proposed River Pointe Commerce Park in Upper Mount Bethel Township. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission approved a strongly worded letter Thursday night questioning Bethlehem developer Lou Pektor’s plans the massive industrial park near the Delaware River. (Courtesy image / River Pointe)

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission approved a strongly worded letter Thursday night questioning Bethlehem developer Lou Pektor’s plans to erect about a dozen industrial-size buildings on green space in Upper Mount Bethel Township.

“The township clearly desires this development, as indicated by municipal zoning of the property,” Senior Community Planner Jillian Seitz read from the Valley board’s 11-page letter to the Upper Mount Bethel planning commission. “However, a development of this scale and impact must be thoughtfully and deliberately planned.”

She noted any final township approval for the project will affect not only the Slate Belt but adjacent regions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Pektor’s proposed River Pointe Commerce Park is expected to include 12 buildings totaling 5.8 million square feet on about 800 acres. Pektor acquired the property, beginning in fall of 2019, for the project initially known as River Pointe Logistics, along River and Demi roads, about 1 ½ miles from Interstate 80.

The project has been heralded by local officials as a possible savior in an area that has struggled to attract jobs and spur economic development.

But many residents in the municipality of 6,500, the largest in Northampton County in terms of land size, have opposed the project almost since it was first announced. They have also said they would support new business, but on a smaller scale.

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“I just wish [Pektor] would downsize this development,” resident Fran Visicario said.

The letter from the planning commission, an advisory group that issues recommendations to municipal planners, carries no legal authority. But it is filled with suggestions on how Pektor should consider proceeding, including steps on sewage treatment, road improvements, emergency access and more.

Before commissoners unanimously approved the comments, several members outlined concerns ranging from how to deal with sewage, increased traffic and whether Pektor’s proposal will actually pay for itself or lead to higher property taxes.

“This is important for the [township] elected officials, that the potential for this development to pay for itself now or in the future is questionable,” commission Vice Chair Christopher Amato said. “I’m concerned that this could become a burden to the taxpaying public.”

Through a spokesperson, Pektor, who attended the virtual meeting, declined to comment.

The land has been zoned industrial since the 1970s and is in a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance zone, which gives property owners a break on real estate taxes associated with improvements or new construction. The taxes are phased in at 10% a year over a decade.

Martin Pinter, Upper Mount Bethel supervisor chairperson, said supervisors in the past chose not to change the zoning from industrial to open space. He said the project would bring high-paying jobs to township residents and others.

Township resident Judy Henckel was among others who thanked the Valley planning group for its letter.

“This gives us a way to say we are not just shooting off our mouths,” Henckel said. “We have something to back us up.”

Pinter and others encouraged future dialogue among local and regional planners.

“I want to say that the board does take a serious look at your comments,” he told the Valley group. “We may be at odds on certain things, but we do take them into consideration.”

The controversial development was also reviewed Tuesday during the planning the commission’s monthly comprehensive planning meeting.

Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com.