UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — The controversial warehouse plan at the former Air Products and Chemicals Inc. headquarters has cleared the final township hurdle.
Township supervisors voted unanimously Thursday to approve the final land development plan for three warehouses at 7201 Hamilton Blvd. after a contentious discussion.
- Upper Macungie supervisors unanimously approved the final plan for three warehouses at the former Air Products headquarters site that would cover 2.6 million square feet
- The approval came after a contentious discussion between supervisors
- Residents have previously expressed concern about the development’s impacts on traffic, water runoff and noise
Supervisors approved the preliminary plan for the development in February.
Together, the warehouses would cover 2.6 million square feet. Residents have previously expressed concern about the development’s impacts on traffic, water runoff and noise.
But only one township resident commented at Thursday night’s meeting: Ben Dobil, who asked about stormwater management and to be recognized as a formal objector.
“We are proceeding forward so that when that market comes around, we’ll be ready with a project that's fully approved by the township."Air Products' Vice President of Strategic Projects Patrick Garay
Previously, the plan was for warehouse developer Prologis to own and operate the warehouses.
But Air Products' Vice President of Strategic Projects Patrick Garay said because of the economic conditions, he is not sure who will occupy the buildings now.
“We are proceeding forward so that when that market comes around, we’ll be ready with a project that's fully approved by the township,” Garay said.
Garay said in an interview that the project still needs outside agency approvals and that he is not sure when it will be built.
'The meeting tonight was shameful'
While the approval of the final plan was unanimous, there was still some tension between supervisors.
Board Chairman Sunny Ghai asked questions about the plan for about 20 minutes during the meeting. His questions were about the potential tenants of the buildings, sidewalks and transportation connectivity.
Ghai also asked a question related to a Lehigh Valley Planning Commission letter from April 2022, which prompted board Vice Chairwoman Kathy Rader to object.
“It’s coming up now?” Rader said.
Supervisor James Brunell interrupted Ghai several times during the meeting to question why he was bringing up these topics when the board had already given preliminary approval to the plan.
“What change can you affect right now, Sunny?” Brunell asked.
“I’m getting there, and these are frankly questions related to the applicant,” Ghai said.
At the end of the meeting, Rader said the supervisors get books of information about developments before meetings and asked Ghai why he brought up the questions at this meeting.
“I think the meeting tonight was shameful,” Rader said.
“It just blows me away that we are so well briefed, probably more so than most municipalities, and yet — I don't know, Sun, I just feel it was shameful the way this meeting was tonight.”
“I too was a bit embarrassed,” Brunell added.
Ghai said that was their opinion and that he had questions for the developer.
“Given the regional importance of this project, I felt like I wanted to ask a couple more questions. I think that was my prerogative,” Ghai said.
In an interview after the meeting, Rader and Brunell said the time for supervisors to ask questions is prior to the meeting. Brunell said there is “no way to affect change” on the plans once they are at this stage.
Ghai said he thought they were reasonable questions related to the plan.
He also encouraged residents who were frustrated with the development to give feedback about the township’s upcoming land use law updates.
