Bethlehem Environmental
Advisory Council
General Meeting
January 8, 2014
Attendees: Present were Council members Fran Cundall, Anne Felker, Jack Gambino, Mike Topping and George Yasko.
Approval of Minutes (December and July): Anne moved approval of the December minutes as corrected by Fran and George; seconded by Jack; approved. Anne then moved approval of the July minutes as drafted by Tracy Oscavich; seconded by Jack; approved.
Sub Committee Reports:
Energy: George reported that solar ordinances are available
on the Google site and Jack reported that Planning Director,
Darlene Heller, had answered his request for information and
indicated the sections in the zoning ordinance where wind
and solar regulations are discussed. He distributed copies
of the City Zoning Ord., where solar and wind regulations
are mentioned, as well as ordinances from Allentown, Easton,
Cumberland County and the Columbia University Center for Climate
Change Law. Some of the topics covered concern glare, height
restrictions, coverage, setbacks, aesthetics, the effects
of direct sunlight and the legal implications of its loss
for a solar installation and how to decommission such uses
when they are no longer in use. He recommended that the EAC
read these ordinances, especially the one from Easton, so
that we could discuss them at future meetings. There followed
a discussion concerning the aesthetics of solar panels and
their use especially in historic districts. Everyone agreed
that there could be conflicts between the promotion of solar
use and the need to preserve the appearance of properties
in the Historic Districts of Bethlehem. Mike recommended that
the EAC concentrate on the promotion of solar use and, subject
to standard city wide zoning regulations concerning setbacks,
height restrictions, etc., allow the City Historic Boards
to concentrate on the appropriateness of if, when and where
they are acceptable in the City’s Historic Districts.
Meanwhile Jack and George will try to develop recommendations
for future discussion by the EAC. George noted that small
spiral shaped wind turbines are now available and Jack noted
that one of the distributed ordinances drafted by Columbia
University was a Model Municipal Wind Siting Ordinance.
Green: They are sponsoring a workshop on native trees at the
Ice House on February 11th at 7 PM. The workshop will include
discussions on planting, care and maintenance of trees. They
are also in the process of putting together a talk at the
City Library and are working with City Forester, Cindy Smith,
in developing an Arbor Day program. She noted that Bethlehem
is one of 4 or 5 communities that will be described in the
National Wildlife Magazine. As a city, Bethlehem is one of
the largest, if not the largest, municipality to be a certified
wildlife habitat community in the country. The magazine article
is scheduled to include photos of urban wildlife habitat locations
in the City. Later, in July, the annual garden contest will
be held.
Transportation: Anne reported that the CTAC (Citizens Traffic
Advisory Committee) is now meeting again on the first Thursday
of the month.
External Committee Reports:
Zoning: No report.
Planning: No report.
City Council: Jack reported that Bill #43 – 2013, which
proposed to amend the makeup of the EAC by adding a member
of City Council to the EAC and designated that City Council
shall have the authority to chose the chairperson of the EAC,
was approved. During discussion, Karen Dolan proposed that
the chairperson could not be a member of City Council and
this was added to and approved as part of the amendment. Also,
the reference to retaining a Planning Commission liaison,
which had been supported by Karen at our December meeting,
was removed from the original ordinance. Jack stated that
there was no discussion concerning the idea of a city planning
liaison at the Council meeting.
Old Business:
Meeting Location: Anne recommended that we move our meetings
back to City Hall.
EAC Goals: George began a review of goals for the EAC. This
could include a map of illegal dumping sites in the City and
a street tree survey, as well as the items mentioned in the
Energy and Green reports. George thought that Lehigh students
might be able to help the City in mapping this information
once it is collected. There followed a long and involved discussion
on the possibilities of using I phones, GPS and cameras to
obtain and process this information.
Chair Recommendation to City Council: As new members of the
EAC, George recommended either Jack or Tracy for this position.
He felt that someone new could help stimulate renewed interest
and ideas for the EAC. As a new mother, Tracy has not been
to a meeting since July, and therefore it was thought that
the chair might be more than she could handle at this time.
Everyone agreed that Jack would make a good chairman. Although
Jack has acquired additional duties at Muhlenberg and indicated
that he was not very familiar with the workings of city hall,
he agreed to consider the position if offered. Meanwhile,
George indicated that he would continue as chair as long as
he was needed at that position.
New Business:
Maze Garden Site: Dennis Benner will be invited to the next
meeting to discuss his proposed development at the southwest
corner of New and 3rd Streets.
Golf Course Runoff: Anne asked if anyone knew anything about
the composition of the runoff from the golf course, which
would ultimately reach the Monocacy Creek. George said he
has probes in the Creek which measure conductivity, temperature,
PH, and turbidity. He noted that these probes are located
from above Bridle Path Road to Dewberry Avenue. He also noted
that much of the Creek is buffered from the golf course by
thick woods, but some areas may be vulnerable to the effects
of runoff from the golf course. Jack indicated he would hike
along the perimeter to see if any obvious runoff areas exist.
Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM.