The Lower Towamensing Township Zoning Hearing Board met Tuesday at the township building on Hahns Dairy Road, Palmerton.

The hearing was requested by Taryn Stewart of Hemlock Street, who is requesting a special exception and variance from Section 613 of the zoning ordinance.

The Stewarts are looking to house animals on their 3.06 acre property as projects for their children, who are members of the local 4H Club. They expect to have two goats, one cow, and one horse, although not all at the same time.

Current ordinance requires there be a minimum lot size of 3 acres for each horse or cow, and .25 acres for each of the two goats. That means they would need 4.5 acres according to the ordinance.

The variance requested requires a storm water plan be implemented, and the township’s planning commission recommends that a nutrient management plan be filed, to address the processing of manure on the property, being near a stream that runs on the property.

The Stewarts requested a 60-day continuance in order to arrange for the storm water and nutrient management plans.

Eleven people attended the hearing and there were no objections to the Stewarts’ plans.

Taryn and Greg Stewart, along with children Paisley and Levi, attended the hearing.