Last week, Lehigh County judge, Michele Varricchio, overturned a zoning ordinance change which would have allowed turkey farmer David Jaindl to cover over 600 acres of pristine farmland with warehouses, fast food restaurants, and townhouses.

Cathy Frankenberg, Program Arganizer for Clean Water Action, and organizer with Friends for the Protection of Lower Macungie, praised the decision, saying it “will have far reaching impacts, preserving not only the rural character of Lower Macungie, but by avoiding massive runoffs and sewage overcharges, also protecting water quality as far downstream as Allentown.  We are thrilled.”  

Don Miles, the attorney for the appellants, and member of Friends for the Protection of Lower Macungie, said “Lehigh County Judge Varricchio's decision late Wednesday invalidating the Jaindl rezoning was the culmination of over a year of community organizing -- aided by Clean Water Action --  and hard work by outraged residents of Lower Macungie and their attorneys. We shall see if Lower Macungie Township now finally undertakes effective public notice and the real land use planning -- professional studies of stormwater, traffic, and other environmental and neighborhood impacts comparing the proposed quarry with Jaindl's proposed industrial and commercial uses -- which the Township has admitted they never bothered to do last year. The commissioners owe their constituents -- and some of our last remaining farmland -- no less.”