WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Construction of a self-storage facility on Mickley Road was recommended for final approval, while two other land development proposals were tabled by the Whitehall Township Planning Commission on Wednesday.
Unanimous approval was given to plans for Mickley Road Self-Storage on the site of the former Green Acres Heating Oil facility at 1176 Mickley Road.
The project next will go before the township board of commissioners.
The planning commission first reviews, then makes recommendations on projects to the zoning hearing board and the board of commissioners for possible approval.
The proposed climate-controlled storage facility would measure 113,000 square feet on two joined parcels on the 1.5-acre site, according to Lena Balorda-Barone, senior project manager with FPA Associates of New Jersey, who addressed the planning commission.
The project also would have 14 parking spaces and LED lighting.
Appearing before the planning commission for the second time, Balorda-Barone said the project has received approval for sewer service and water connections.
Fellowship Community Project
Tabled by the planning commission was a land development/subdivision project at Fellowship Community, an independent and assisted living senior care facility at 3600 Mauch Chunk Road.
The plan calls for the construction of 73 independent apartment units over three buildings, each standing three stories and measuring just over 15,000 square feet.
The reasons for the project being tabled included questions and concerns about the safety and/or placement of sidewalks in various parts of the community.
"They need to button this up a little bit more."Jonathan L. Bolton, chair, Whitehall Township Planning Commission
Planning Commission member Jason Szewchak voiced concerns about the safety of building a sidewalk along Mauch Chunk Road.
Other concerns included plans to build a sidewalk that would abut the property of the Korean Church of Lehigh Valley that runs adjacent to the community.
The incomplete plans submitted to the commission concerned Secretary Paul Geissinger, who said developers “should show us all the plans before we act on the request.”
Planning Commission Chairman Jonathan L. Bolton said he views the current plans as having “a lot of vagueness and gray areas.”
"They need to button this up a little bit more,” he said.
The planning commission directed the developers to revise construction and direction of planned sidewalks from the expansion area and throughout the facility by the next meeting.
Residential project, Tractor Supply Plus
A project to subdivide nearly eight acres and construct 14 single-family residential homes at Bridge Street was the other tabled land development project.
Grading that impacts the construction of sidewalks was the main reason for tabling the project.
“We still have a ways to go."David Wilson, of Colliers Engineering & Design, Allentown
David Wilson, of Colliers Engineering & Design, Allentown, told the commission he wanted to appear before it once again to give an update and reintroduce the project.
“We still have a ways to go,” he told the planners.
A land development application was given preliminary final approval for construction of a Tractor Supply Co. building at 3561 W. Columbia St.
The 2,200-square-foot building would be built on a 4.45-acre lot.
Mark A. Magrecki, regional manager at PennTerra Engineering Inc., of State College, Centre County, said the plan is ready to go, short of receiving drainage permits.
The developer requested and got a deferral on having to build a sidewalk along MacArthur Road, but said it would build a sidewalk and curbing along West Columbia Street.
Also, a conditional use request was approved for Tractor Supply Co. to sell recreation vehicles at that site at 3581 W. Columbia St.
The vehicles would include ATVs, paddle boats and minibikes.
