Bern supervisors direct solicitor to oppose height variance for NorthPoint Logistics 222 after resident concerns

The Bern Township Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 5 to direct the township solicitor to oppose a building-height variance sought for the proposed NorthPoint Logistics 222 development after residents and supervisors expressed concerns.

During the public-comment period a West Leesport Road resident listed multiple concerns about the Logistics 222 proposal, including building height, missing sidewalks, traffic and truck impacts, road maintenance, warehouse-style buildings, screening, light pollution and air quality. A second resident read a letter from a Leiscz's Bridge Road neighbor that raised similar issues.

At the meeting, Jed Momont of North Point Development Group presented the Logistics 222 concept and answered questions from the board and the township solicitor, Timothy Dietrich. After the presentation, Dr. Boyd Wagner III moved that the township solicitor be authorized to take a position opposing any variance for the building height; Jeff Thompson seconded the motion. The motion passed with five yes votes (Dr. Wagner, Brian Eveland, Daniel Tobias, Jeff Thompson and Chair Irene Reed).

The vote directed the solicitor to oppose a height variance; no variance decision by a zoning hearing board or other permitting body was recorded at the meeting. The supervisors did not adopt or deny the underlying development application at the Oct. 5 session; they recorded their position on the height variance request and asked the solicitor to represent the township accordingly.

Next steps were not detailed in the meeting record beyond authorizing the solicitor to take a position against the variance request.