SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Another phase of a controversial housing development is in its final stages.
South Whitehall Planning Commission recommended final approval for Phase 1C of Ridge Farms, a development that would include housing, shops and outdoor eateries.
The section of the plan has 34 two-unit dwelling units (17 pairs of twins). It would be northwest of the Keneseth Israel Cemetery and to the west of Buchman Street, which would extend into the development.
Ridge Farms sparked controversy in the township in late 2017, with hundreds of residents coming to township meetings to raise concerns about the development.
The motion to recommend approval passed with Planning Commission Chairman David Wilson abstaining and the rest, including township Board of Commissioners President Diane Kelly, voting affirmatively.
The plan now goes to the commissioners, who will vote whether to grant final approval. The deadline for the board to act is Aug. 29.
Two phases already have final approval from the township: Phase 1A, which includes a St. Luke's medical office, and Phase 1B, which includes five apartment buildings with a total of 60 units, 14 two-unit dwelling units (seven pairs of twins) and various road extensions.
Project engineer Jason Engelhardt said he does not have updates on when construction of Phase 1B will begin or when Phase 1A will be completed.
What's in the plan?
Phase 1C would make Buchman Street bigger as it goes into the development, from 22 feet across to 28 feet.
All the new streets would have sidewalks. Some members of the Planning Commission asked whether the developer could add sidewalks to the rest of Buchman Street, which currently does not have them, but Engelhardt said the road is too narrow.
Planning Commission member Tim Dugan asked about the potential traffic impact on the nearby residential roads.
"At the end of the day, the volume is fairly modest."Project engineer Jason Engelhardt
Engelhardt said the developer would document the roadway conditions before construction so the township could see the effect of the new development.
"But at the end of the day, the volume is fairly modest," Engelhardt said.
About a third of the 123-acre tract is dedicated to open space, which would be open to all residents, Engelhardt said.
The plan includes a walking path on that open space which eventually will connect to another section of Ridge Farms.
