South Whitehall Township Commissioners on Wednesday waived their land development process so construction of a 1,100-square-foot addition could start immediately at Cedarbrook Nursing Home.

The addition will add space to the community room, according to Glenn Solt, director of general services for Lehigh County.

Solt said he was "throwing himself on the mercy of the court" by asking for a last-minute waiver from the township's land development process.

It became clear the county needed the waiver when the contractor applied for permits for the addition and was told he had to go through the development process. Township administrators advised Solt to ask commissioners for the waiver.

Solt said the addition doesn't affect impervious services, fire lanes, parking spaces or change the number of users. 

"It just provides additional space for our elderly folks," Solt said.

The construction process will also update bathrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act codes.

Cedarbrook Nursing Home is at 350 S. Cedarbrook Rd. and is one of two county-run nursing homes.