An East Penn Township zoning hearing board meeting was held Wednesday in which Duane Schleicher and Cole Pfeffer requested a change of use for property on Lauchnor Road near Northside Heights.

Schleicher wants to build apartments and then Pfeffer is to buy the property. Attached single-family homes are not permitted in the rural residential area. They were asking for a variance based on the fact that no more land is available in the village center where the apartments would be permitted.Under courtesy of the floor Monica Shupp asked when the communications tower at Northside Heights will be completed. Zoning officer Richard Dietrich said it may be days or months yet and that "Verizon is not on the tower at this time."East Penn Supervisor Randy Pfeiffer wanted to speak after the courtesy period, but was told he had bypassed the opportunity.He said he did so because he did not have a question but an ethics and legal issue. However, he was not allowed to speak and the hearing began.After Schleicher and Pfeffer answered questions and described the planned units for a half hour, the hearing was opened to the floor.Pfeiffer again had a chance to bring up his objections. He said John Reedy and Todd Scherer had not filed ethics forms with the township by May 1 as required by law. Neither could recall doing so although they had received the forms. In addition, Scherer is a cousin to Duane Schleicher and as such is not allowed to participate in a hearing concerning him.The board recessed. When they came back both, both members recused themselves. The hearing was continued to Sept. 14, 6 p.m., after supervisors appoint two alternates to the board. All testimony will have to be repeated at that time.