Zoning board grants OK to group home
A group home for people with intellectual disabilities may set up shop in Washington Township.
On a 2-1 vote, the township’s zoning hearing board on Tuesday granted Merakey, formerly known as NHS Human Services, a special exception for a group home at 3350 Friedens Road, Slatington.
Zoning board members Walt Henne and John Kisthardt were in favor, while zoner Aaron Oswald was opposed. Oswald did not state a reason why he was in opposition.
The board also granted relief from the 5-acre minimum lot size requirement for the group home, which will be located in the rural village zoning district about a mile away from Peters Elementary School.
Todd Weidman, township manager/zoning officer, said about a half-dozen residents voiced concerns.
The group home will serve three people with intellectual disabilities who are currently residents at the Hamburg State Center, Hamburg, which will eventually close.
Weidman noted that another group home exists on Friedens Road.
Merakey provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health services for adults and children, and education and autism services.
