WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A proposed development of 116 townhomes and single-unit homes has been delayed over concerns about an inadequate number of parking spaces.
The township board of commissioners at a workshop Monday again reviewed a subdivision/land development plan named Emerson Village.
The plan calls for construction of townhomes and single-unit homes on 35 acres at 3626 Rural Road.
Commissioner Ken Snyder voiced his worry that the development lacks a sufficient number of parking spaces, in addition to garage parking and the current number of parking lot spaces in the plan.
The north side of the development will have an additional 29 parking spaces, Snyder said. But the south side plan shows no additional parking.
“And that part of the development has more residences,” Snyder said. “I’d like to see some additional overflow parking.
“On a day there’ll be visitors, maybe someone having a big party, there won’t be enough parking.”
“I will not vote to approve this plan unless they (W.B. Homes, Inc.) have answers."Whitehall Township Commissioner Jeffrey Warren
Commissioners also voiced concern about the absence of trees along sidewalks in the plan.
The plan will be reviewed at a full meeting of the board of commissioners at 7 p.m. Monday.
“I will not vote to approve this plan unless they [developer W.B. Homes Inc.] have answers,” Commissioner Jeffrey Warren said.
The applicant also is seeking as many as 18 waivers for the project.
The development would encompass two phases and take several years to complete, said Justin Strahorn of W.B. Homes, a privately held homebuilding company.
The project also includes widening Rural Road to 14 feet.
Mickley-Prydun Farm project advances
Commissioners favorably reviewed a plan for Phase 2 of the historic Mickley-Prydun Farm renovation.
The 1835 farmhouse is on 12 acres at 3540 Ruch St.
The ordinance, which will be reviewed at commissioners' Monday meeting, awards the contract to renovate the interior and exterior of the building to make it usable.
That includes rehabbing the outside brick façade and repairing the wood beam structure, framing and drywall.
The township board is awaiting a cost figure from Gordian Construction, of Cincinnati, Ohio, the project construction manager.
Other planned work at the farm includes renovating the bathroom for ADA accessibility, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work.
The project is funded through a Community Development Block Grant and a Local Share Account grant.
Mickley-Prydun Farm dates to the Revolutionary War. The property once was the home of John Mickley Sr., who brought the Liberty Bell by wagon from Philadelphia to Allentown for safekeeping from the British.
Car wash vote nears, other business
Commissioners also are scheduled next week to vote on a proposal to construct a car wash at 2601 and 2631 MacArthur Road.
A Sparkle Car Wash is planned for the site at MacArthur Commons shopping center.
The original plan, submitted in 2023, has been modified from a request to build a car wash and an entertainment unit to eliminating the entertainment unit and expand the size of the car wash.
In other business, the board approved:
- A proposal to buy Tiger attachments for the John Deere 6M 105 cab tractor for the public works department. The township got a $75,000 Local Share Account grant to offset part of the tractor cost.
- A proposal to buy and install playground equipment at Fullerton Memorial Playground. The project is being funded by an $80,000 grant secured by state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th District. The upgrade will consist of two equipment apparatuses, two picnic tables and two park benches.
- An ordinance to buy five Ford police interceptor SUVs — four marked, one unmarked — for the police patrol division. The ordinance continues the annual replacement program for police vehicles.
- A resolution on the retirement and the commencement of monthly pension benefits to former township police Officer Christopher Flynn, who retired Feb. 28.
