Work continues to move forward on the Lehigh Valley Resort and Spa project at the former Mary Immaculate Center property in Cherryville.

Representatives for the project updated Lehigh Township supervisors this week on progress at the 600-acre site at 300 Cherryville Road, where Jaindl Land Co. plans a mixed-use development featuring a hotel, meeting and event space, restaurants, a spa and wellness center, and refurbished seminary buildings.

Project representatives said crews are preparing to break ground on the treatment plant and expect tanks to be installed by June and July.

“We are breaking ground on the treatment plant,” representatives told supervisors. “We are very excited that this project is really moving along. We have perfect weather for holes to be dug that we need. We are ahead of schedule for the installation of the mechanical parts of the plant.”

The treatment plant tanks will be located near Indian Trail Park.

Jaindl Land Co. purchased the former Archdiocese of Philadelphia property in 2016. After more than four years of zoning work, the project received approvals from the township in 2020.

Police news

In other business, township manager Alice Rehrig said the township received a $60,970 Monroe County grant and an $89,500 Northampton County grant to help purchase police radios.

Police Chief John Henry is currently obtaining quotes for the equipment, she said.

Supervisors also approved continued employment for Officer Richard Houser following completion of his probationary period.

The board additionally approved conditional offers of employment for two police officer candidates pending drug, polygraph and psychological testing.

Data center ordinance

Solicitor Dave Backenstoe said township engineer Mike Muffley is finishing work on zoning regulations for data centers.

“It will be ready for the board to review by the next meeting, then to Lehigh Valley Planning,” Backenstoe said.

During public comment, resident Katherine Mack urged supervisors to reconsider placing a farm and land preservation referendum on the ballot.

“The township residents should have the right at the ballot box,” Mack said. “The right to vote is a right to all Americans. Voting is the only decisive way. Please reconsider the referendum of the land preservation.”

Mack added that while her family would vote against the measure, residents should still have the opportunity to decide. Supervisor Janet Sheats responded, “I believe in the ballot box.”

Resident Zach Szokes attended the meeting to provide supervisors with additional information regarding farm and land preservation efforts.

Supervisors Mike Jones, Dave Hess and Sheats expressed concern that public education efforts on the issue could stop if the referendum were placed on the ballot.

“We are afraid if we agree to put it on the ballot, you will stop informing residents of what farm and land preservation is,” the supervisors said. “You said you were going to continue having town halls.”

Szokes replied, “That is true. When you voted to not put it on the ballot, we stopped providing information for residents.”