In Townhome Development Talks, Borough Wants ‘Seat at the Table’

In future talks about a large cluster townhome development that’s been proposed for Silver Creek Country Club in Lower Saucon Township, Hellertown borough officials said Tuesday they would like to have “a seat at the table.”

Although the proposed development would be wholly located within the township, part of the club is in the borough, and a number of the homes would border borough properties.

In particular, a group of homes proposed for the northwestern corner of the country club property along New Jersey Avenue and Apple Street “is going to affect the (Hellertown) homeowners up there,” councilman John Bate said.

Traffic and infrastructure concerns also exist, council members said.

Councilman Mike McKenna said Hellertown Borough Authority administrator Glenn Higbie is already in talks with Lower Saucon officials about the potential impact of the development on the borough’s public water and sewer system. The township authority doesn’t have the capacity that would be required in that area to provide public water and sewer to the 120 homes being proposed.

In an article published this week by Lehigh Valley Business, the homes’ would-be developer David Spirk of Spirk Brothers Inc. predicted that Silver Creek Country Club Living could benefit the borough economically by attracting an upscale clientele to its restaurants and businesses.

The individual homes would be condos owned by club members and are forecast to range in price from $300,000 to $500,000, according to a Morning Call story.

The entire project could cost $30 to $50 million and would provide a membership infusion for the country club, Lehigh Valley Business reported.

Council concluded its discussion by unanimously approving a motion to have borough staff send a letter expressing its concerns and requesting inclusion in future discussions about the project.

If plans are approved, work on the development could begin in 2016.