St. Luke’s University Health Network has acquired over 86 acres of land in Franklin Township where it is expected to build another hospital.

The properties include a vacant parcel on Reber Street, as well as a property on Harrity Road, according to Carbon County property transfers.

The vacant parcel on Reber Street is 75.44 acres, and was sold by Marianne S. Lavelle to Blue Mountain Hospital, 211 N. 12th St., Lehighton, in the amount of $2,113,160.

The property on Harrity Road is 11.11 acres, and was sold by James M. Lavelle to Blue Mountain Hospital, 211 N. 12th St., Lehighton, at a cost of $311,136.

A lot on Harrity Road — stuck in between the two properties that were purchased — measures 1.43 acres, and is still privately owned according to county records.

Sam Kennedy, corporate communications director for St. Luke’s, discussed the acquisition of the land.

“As St. Luke’s plans for its future in Carbon County and how best to care for the residents of Carbon County and the surrounding area, the network is considering a range of possibilities,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy added, “That kind of planning takes time. As is our practice, we will let the public know about any major decisions.”

At a special meeting last week, Franklin Township supervisors approved an ordinance for the creation of a health care overlay district.

Representatives from St. Luke’s recently presented a basic sketch of a prospective health care center to Franklin’s planning commission, though no other documents have been submitted.

The supervisors said that a similar ordinance was to be added to the zoning code in the near future, but they decided to pass the overlay ahead of time in case St. Luke’s, or any other health care facility, wishes to begin construction any sooner.

Board Chairman Jason Frey said at that time that the ordinance will allow for the construction of health care facilities on plots of land measuring at least 30 acres within the township.

County planner Ivan Meixell said, “Based on our review, the Carbon County Planning Commission believes that the proposed change to the zoning ordinance to provide hospitals and other health care campus settings represents sound land use planning and is consistent with the current land use practices.”

St. Luke’s already has a large presence in the Lehighton area, with its Care Now facility at 575 S. Ninth St. off Route 443 in Lehighton, which opened in June 2017; as well as merging Blue Mountain Health System’s Gnaden Huetten and Palmerton campuses into its network at the beginning of the year.