Council Appoints Nolf to Fill Vacant Seat, Signals Opposition to Church Redevelopment Proposal

Hellertown Borough Council welcomed a new member Monday and approved a motion to recommend denial of zoning relief for a property redevelopment plan that is currently before the zoning hearing board.

A former council member, former president of Dewey Fire Co. and retired schoolteacher, Gail Nolf was unanimously appointed to fill the seat left vacant by ex-councilwoman Liz Thompson, who resigned abruptly in July.

Nolf, a Constitution Avenue resident since 1994, emerged as the choice over Robert Lepley after both applicants presented their qualifications to council at Monday’s meeting.

“I believe that teams are driven by individuals who come together to accomplish a common goal. And as I said, there’s so much going on right now, and I feel I have the time, ability and the skills to be able to help make us continue to become excellent,” Nolf said.

“To be able to continue to have an awesome community, cherish our past, take those old traditions and help them evolve into new traditions…I’m here to become a part of that and to be helpful,” Nolf added.

Councilman Andrew Hughes noted that Nolf was the top vote-getter in the recent primary election. She will appear on the November ballot as a candidate for a four-year council term.

“I think it speaks to the general support that she has,” said Hughes. “We’d also offer up that there’ll probably be some additional opportunities on council soon. So, there isn’t necessarily a winner or loser here. I think there’s just probably somebody that’s maybe a little better fit right now.”

Nolf was immediately sworn in by council and took her seat for the remainder of the meeting. The appointment runs through the end of 2025, with a special election to be held in November for the remainder of the term through the end of 2027.

Council’s Recommendation to Zoning Hearing Board: Deny Mountainview Family Center’s Appeal

In the evening’s most contentious business, council voted to recommend that the Zoning Hearing Board deny Mountainview Family Center LLC’s appeal to convert the former Mountainview Moravian Church property on Constitution Avenue into an ice cream parlor and event center.

On July 16, zoners tabled their discussion of the plans, which were brought to them by Mountainview Family Center LLC’s managing member Sara Heintzelman. Heintzelman said the business has an agreement of sale to purchase the property from the Moravian Church.

The purchase agreement is contingent on winning relief from the zoning ordinance to convert the property into a restaurant and community center; a parking variance; and a favorable interpretation of the zoning ordinance that would allow for the “continued use of the property as a lawful, pre-existing and non-conforming use.”

Several residents spoke against the proposal during public comment on Monday, citing concerns about the potential for increased traffic, parking, noise and commercial development in the primarily residential neighborhood.

Bryan Eichfeld, a 35-year borough resident and Saucon Valley School Board member, asked who the actual applicant was.

Borough manager Cathy Harntranft replied with “Mountainview Family Center, LLC,” and solicitor Michael Corriere said the “president of the LLC or chairman of the LLC will (hypothetically) sign the application.”

“My hearing is that it’s our mayor’s daughter, so that kind of raises flags,” said Eichfeld. “I was really surprised when the church closed, there was no ‘for sale’ sign put up…”

Mayor David Heintzelman was absent from Monday’s meeting with prior notification.

“Boy, can you imagine a party going on in your backyard, and it turns to be 9 p.m., and who’s leaving? Well, they’ll go into the parking lot and hang out there. I’m all in favor of people having a good time, but not in a residential area. You guys need to stop this, it’s ridiculous,” Eichfeld added.

“If it’s not on the agenda, put it on the agenda tonight, and vote against this, shut it down,” he urged council.

Rieger explained that council couldn’t vote “to just stop it.”

“It’s not in front of this board. It is not a part of the purview of borough council. It is in front of the zoning hearing board,” he said. “I think most of the residents probably here in this room were in front of the zoning hearing board a few weeks ago and most likely will be again, come later this month. (We) can make a recommendation, but this board cannot just say ‘vote no to it’ and it stops.”

Borough Solicitor Mike Corriere piggybacked off Rieger’s explanation with his own.

“The zoning hearing board has sole jurisdiction over that decision, so everybody wants to make sure you go to the Aug. 20 (ZHB) hearing to at least let the board know,” he said. “Obviously we understand where you’re coming from and you’re upset, and certainly, borough council could have some sort of a letter sent to the zoning hearing board prior to that meeting, just letting them know their thoughts. But the ultimate decision applies outside of this (council’s) body’s jurisdiction.”

Newly-appointed councilwoman Nolf made the motion to recommend that the Zoning Hearing Board deny the requests for zoning relief by Mountainview Family Center LLC.

The motion passed 5-0, with Rieger abstaining, citing his friendship with the mayor’s family. Councilman Matt Marcincin was absent.

“Borough officials are expected to be transparent, listen to, and respond to residents, not hiding or downplaying the potential impact on this quiet, safe, long-established residential community,” said resident Mary Van Gieson. “So, I’m very glad that you’ve decided to let the zoning board know that you’re not in favor of this change.”

Long-time resident talks speeding issues, recent resignations

Jeff Frankenfield, a 40-year Hellertown resident, brought attention to speeding and safety issues on Wagner Avenue by Rt. 412. “There’s a lot of children in that area and I’m not one to see a kid get killed and then say something,” Frankenfield told council. “I think we really have to do something, whether it takes a ‘Slow Down Children’ (sign) or speed bumps, but something has to be done.”

Frankenfield also raised concerns about motorized bicycles he said were traveling at dangerous speeds and disobeying traffic rules.

Hellertown Police Chief James Baitinger said some of the electric bicycles “are getting up to 40 miles an hour” and that operators “have to follow the rules of the road just like anybody else.”

Frankenfield said he also hopes for more accountability and transparency from the borough, particularly in the wake of Thompson’s resignation last month.

“She (Thompson) talked about secrecy and hostility, and self-interest,” he said. “I hope this isn’t going on in the world. I hope it’s not, because I spend a lot of money on taxes, and a lot of other people do, too. We deserve the best, and I’m not picking on nobody. I just bring up a point, and it’s hard to believe that Ms. Thompson would just resign like that. She’s not a quitter– military people don’t quit. They either die or come home, and I just want to bring it to your attention.”

The Zoning Hearing Board will continue deliberations regarding the family center on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Hellertown Borough Hall. The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall. Both meetings are open to the public. Borough meetings are also livestreamed on both Zoom and the borough Facebook page. Meeting agendas may be reviewed in advance on the borough’s website.