Planning commission recommends Act 537 sewage plan for 2168 Riverside Drive to move to council review
June 26, 2026 | Lower Saucon, Northampton County, Pennsylvania
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The Lower Saucon Township planning commission on June 25 voted to recommend approval of an Act 537 planning module for 2168 Riverside Drive, clearing the technical sewer-design review to advance to township council.
Jason Valentine of DW Consultants, who presented the planning module on behalf of the property owner, said the building — originally a restaurant later converted to apartments — now contains seven residential units and therefore triggers Act 537 planning because sewage flows exceed the 800-gallons-per-day threshold. "When sewage flows exceed 800 gallons per day on an existing lot... it's deemed to be subdivided," Valentine said, describing why the planning-module review is required and noting the applicant had prepared test data and soil borings including additional work for limestone conditions.
Valentine and the applicant said on-site testing identified a design/backup area sized for 2,800 gallons per day (peak) and estimated typical usage around 1,400 gallons per day for the seven units. The proposal calls for new septic tankage, a dosing tank, pressure-distribution laterals in an elevated sand bed, and alarmed access to pump equipment for winter maintenance. Valentine said properly permitted and maintained systems can operate for the life of the structure.
Vipo Sha, who identified himself as part owner of 216 Riverside Drive, described renovations that had been completed inside the building and said the property has remained vacant because the township's sewage enforcement officer (SEO) had declined a certificate of occupancy pending the Act 537 planning. Sha said he contracted for monthly septic inspections while pursuing the approvals and told the commission the vacancy has created financial strain.
Commissioners said they had not received the full site-plan packet in their meeting materials but were told the SEO, Chris Taylor, had reviewed the planning module, requested revisions, and forwarded the packet to the township and county planning commission. According to the presentation, the SEO participated in testing and had no further comments on the packet at the time of the meeting.
After questions about site topography, neighboring properties and parking, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the planning module so the item can proceed to township council. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The presenter said component 4A would be signed by the SEO to allow the application to be placed on the council agenda.
The planning commission also approved the minutes from its April 23 meeting and adjourned. The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for July 23.
Jason Valentine of DW Consultants, who presented the planning module on behalf of the property owner, said the building — originally a restaurant later converted to apartments — now contains seven residential units and therefore triggers Act 537 planning because sewage flows exceed the 800-gallons-per-day threshold. "When sewage flows exceed 800 gallons per day on an existing lot... it's deemed to be subdivided," Valentine said, describing why the planning-module review is required and noting the applicant had prepared test data and soil borings including additional work for limestone conditions.
Valentine and the applicant said on-site testing identified a design/backup area sized for 2,800 gallons per day (peak) and estimated typical usage around 1,400 gallons per day for the seven units. The proposal calls for new septic tankage, a dosing tank, pressure-distribution laterals in an elevated sand bed, and alarmed access to pump equipment for winter maintenance. Valentine said properly permitted and maintained systems can operate for the life of the structure.
Vipo Sha, who identified himself as part owner of 216 Riverside Drive, described renovations that had been completed inside the building and said the property has remained vacant because the township's sewage enforcement officer (SEO) had declined a certificate of occupancy pending the Act 537 planning. Sha said he contracted for monthly septic inspections while pursuing the approvals and told the commission the vacancy has created financial strain.
Commissioners said they had not received the full site-plan packet in their meeting materials but were told the SEO, Chris Taylor, had reviewed the planning module, requested revisions, and forwarded the packet to the township and county planning commission. According to the presentation, the SEO participated in testing and had no further comments on the packet at the time of the meeting.
After questions about site topography, neighboring properties and parking, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the planning module so the item can proceed to township council. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The presenter said component 4A would be signed by the SEO to allow the application to be placed on the council agenda.
The planning commission also approved the minutes from its April 23 meeting and adjourned. The next planning commission meeting is scheduled for July 23.
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