Cope v. Zoning Hearing Board

PALLADINO, Judge.

Raymond Cope (Cope) appeals from an order of the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County (trial court) affirming in part a decision of the South Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board (Board) interpreting the South Whitehall Township Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance) and denying Cope’s requests for variances.

Cope is the owner of a 1.19 acre tract of vacant land located in an area of South Whitehall Township zoned “Highway Commercial 1” (HC-1). Cope proposes to construct a commercial building containing five retail shops and one professional office. Before the Board, Cope requested…