WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Approval of a developer’s plan for a 190,400-square-foot distribution facility is stuck in traffic — literally.
Concerns over a significant increase in tractor-trailer traffic around the proposed Fullerton Terminals distribution facility site at 2451 Main St. resulted Monday in the township board of commissioners delaying a decision on the conditional use request until December.
“We have a lot of studies we still have to do."Rocco Caracciolo, a Jaindl Co. engineer and land development project manager
During a nearly three-hour hearing, representatives of Landston Equities LLC, a Jaindl Land Co. entity, tried to persuade the board that the amount of increased traffic from the facility would not adversely affect the area.
The board also voiced concerns about the 53-foot tractor trailers being able to negotiate turns at intersections that may not be wide enough.
“We have a lot of studies we still have to do,” said Rocco Caracciolo, a Jaindl Co. engineer and land development project manager.
The board will conduct an executive session after its December workshop meeting to get legal advice. The fate of the project will be placed on the December meeting agenda, leaving time for a vote within the mandated 45-day window.
Distribution facility for storage
John McRoberts, manager of land planning and development at The Pidcock Company, an engineering firm, said the applicant intends to redevelop the property into a distribution facility for temporary storage.
The 13.952-acre site would accommodate 30 tractor trailer loading docks, 148 employee parking lot spaces and 44 tractor-
trailer parking spaces.
McRoberts said the township’s two greatest concerns — overnight tractor-trailer parking and multiple tractor truck arrivals that may create a traffic hazard — have been addressed by the developer.
The plan complies with all township zoning criteria and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, or SALDO, requirements and is consistent with the comprehensive plan, McRoberts said.
McRoberts also said the facility complies with all federal and state laws and regulations, such as Federal Aviation Administration requirements, including whether a building is more than 150 feet tall; the proposed building will be 53 feet high.
Commissioner Robert Piligian asked how the applicant can ensure that tractor-trailers will not make a left turn onto Schadt Avenue.
McRoberts said road signage and informational fliers distributed among truck drivers would address that concern.
Caracciolo said the applicant would address all concerns about the impact of traffic near Range Road and Eberhart Road.
“We’re going to do a traffic study when we go through land development,” he said.
Truck traffic concerns
Scott Harney, an engineer and traffic expert with The Pidcock Company, said a national Institute of Transportation Engineers trip generation analysis was used to project the average amount of traffic such a development would create.
“The analysis shows the building would result in a weighted average 47 truck trips, entering and exiting, during a.m. peak hours,” Harney said. “And 50 during p.m. peak hours.”
“(The applicant) knows this still is a long row to hoe.”Frank Clark, Whitehall Township engineer
The amount of traffic created can be accommodated by the surrounding roadways, Harney said.
Resident Karen Poshefko asked Harney if the amount of school traffic was taken into consideration during their analysis.
It was, Harney said.
Board member Piligian said he doesn't believe the intersection of MacArthur Road and Schadt Avenue can accommodate that amount of tractor-trailer traffic.
Township engineer Frank Clark said much information remains to be known about the project before it comes to a vote.
“There’s still a PennDOT scoping study going forward,” Clark said.
The applicant "knows this still is a long row to hoe.”
A scoping study is a process that verifies information about a project, including its engineering features, environmental resources and public involvement.
Its purpose is to identify the important issues, the study’s boundaries and information needed for decision making.
Wawa conditional approval
In other action Monday, commissioners unanimously amended a resolution to conditionally approve the land development plan of a proposed Wawa at MacArthur and Mickley roads at Whitehall Mall.
The popular convenience store is planned as a 6,000-square-foot facility with a front and back entrance and exit. It would include 16 fuel stations and be open 24 hours daily.
Construction is scheduled to begin late this year.
The new Wawa will be across the parking lot from Floor & Decor, which took the place of the former Sears Auto Center.
The unit which has been vacant since late 2020 will be demolished.
Apartments project tabled
Approval was tabled on a plan to build 73 apartments at the Fellowship Community assisted living community.
At issue are concerns over the ability of emergency vehicles, such as fire trucks, to access the rear of the apartments.
“My concern is getting a tower truck back there in the event people need to be taken off their balcony in the event of a fire,” board member Ken Snyder told Scott Paterski, the applicant's engineer from Keystone Consulting Engineers.
“It’s a safety arrangement."
Added board member Piligian: “We need to have some type of stabilized path back there.”
“That could be a significant cost impact,” Paterski said. “I’m not saying no.”
The project consists of the building's 73 independent apartment units over three buildings, each standing three stories and measuring just over 15,000 square feet.
Liquor license transfer
Approved unanimously was the transfer of a liquor license from Feasta Italiana at 2400 Schoenersville Road to Top Star Express at 4755 Main St.
The Top Star Express location provides Valero gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene. A Subway shop is inside with a seating area, along with an onsite video rental kiosk.
Top Star also sells snacks, frozen and refrigerated items, household items and newspapers.
Attorney Dave Berger, who represented Top Star Express Inc., said the store would only be licensed inside three cooler doors.
Liquor would begin to be sold at the store at 9 a.m. Sundays and at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday.
Top Star is required to file a transfer application with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
First responders recognized
Certificates of appreciation were made to the Whitehall Township Police, Pennsylvania State Police, and Whitehall Township and Catasauqua fire departments for their service responding to a fire at the Independence Square apartments at 1 Maryland Circle in October.
A complex of 132 apartments with up to 400 residents was evacuated. The fire damaged 12 of the apartments.
“It’s incredible there wasn’t a loss of life,” Whitehall Township Mayor Joseph Marx said. “I can’t thank our first responders for all that they do.”
The certificates were presented to state police troopers by Whitehall Township Fire Chief Mark Bilder.
Veterans video salute
A video in recognition of Veterans Day was shown. The video consisted of photos of deployed veterans past and present.
Also shown was data such as the number of veterans who served during various wars and conflicts.
“It’s still hard for me to believe that someone would say that guys who served are suckers,” said board President Thomas Slonaker. “It boggles my mind.”
The video was produced by Lee A. Rackus, township bureau chief of planning, zoning and development.
Other business
- The board deferred the installation of sidewalks and curbs along 2,626 feet of Mauch Chunk and Rural roads and on frontages at 1995 Schadt Ave. The deferral, requested by Bible Fellowship Church Homes Inc., was granted because of steep slopes, grading issues and PennDOT-controlled frontages on the roads.
- Approval was given to establish Bridge Street as a one-way- only southbound” from Reliance Street to Ruchsville Road.
- Approval was given authorizing Mayor Marx to sign an application for $549,000 in LSA Grant Funding to buy a highway-grade paver machine.
- Approval was given to authorize the sublease of 5209 Springmill Road to Lehigh County for a communications tower.
