Lee Solt News Today

A divided South Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board denied a variance request that would allow families at risk of homelessness to be housed at a church.

The operator of a proposed sober living residence for South Whitehall Township implored officials and residents to consider the positive impact of a local facility helping people recovering from addiction during a Thursday hearing.

Since the remaining four commissioners in South Whitehall could not agree on the replacement for former commissioner Matt Mobilio, who abruptly resigned in April, the rarely-used vacancy board had to step in. The board chose local businessman Ben Long, but not without disagreement.