SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Parkland School District's proposed Operations Center has cleared its final township hurdle.
South Whitehall Board of Commissioners on Wednesday granted preliminary/final approval to plans for the building, which would be at 2619 Stadium Drive, across from Orefield Middle School.
- South Whitehall Township commissioners granted preliminary/final approval to plans for the new Parkland School District operations center
- The new building will house maintenance and custodial services, the technology department, the food services division and the safety and security division
- In other news, commissioners reviewed plans for updates to Vistas Park, which included new pickleball courts
It would house the district's maintenance and custodial services, the technology department, the food services division and the safety and security division.
Director of School Services Dave Keppel said district operations now are based mainly in the Troxell building at 1210 Springhouse Road, but some departments operate in other buildings.
“Everybody's kind of spread out. Now we'll all be together under one roof, which will really be helpful. So we're excited to get this project started."Dave Keppel, director of school services for the Parkland School District
“Everybody's kind of spread out," Keppel said in an earlier interview. "Now we'll all be together under one roof, which will really be helpful. So we're excited to get this project started."
Keppel said the project still needs to go through the permitting process and review construction bids with the school board.
The project likely will be completed in 2024.
Vistas Park updates, Walgreens center
Commissioners also reviewed plans for updates to Vistas Park. The proposed new additions include two pickleball courts, a nature play area, pedestrian walkways and an expanded parking lot.
Residents previously expressed concern about noise the pickleball courts could bring to the area.
Township Manager Tom Petrucci said the township will “pursue noise mitigation options” as the plan moves forward.
Petrucci said the current plan does not include nighttime lighting for the courts.
The commissioners took no official action on the plan. It will go before the board for a vote in coming months.
North Whitehall Township supervisors recently approved funding for new pickleball courts in their township.
South Whitehall commissioners also granted conditional use approval for a plan to turn a South Whitehall warehouse into a Walgreens fulfillment center.
Eric Friedman, a representative from Walgreens, said in an earlier interview that the company's fulfillment centers are used to fill prescriptions at a faster rate than behind the counter.
The 103,000-square-foot building at 4741 Chapmans Road now is partially vacant. It currently has one tenant, Mvnifest, a product design firm also known as Sorry Robots LLC. Mvnifest occupies about a third of the building.
Eric Friedman, a representative from Walgreens, said in an earlier interview that the company's fulfillment centers are used to fill prescriptions at a faster rate than behind the counter.
The filled prescriptions then are distributed to the stores in the area.
Other business
Commissioners gave a Distinguished Service Award to George Sverha of Greenawalds Fire Company, who is retiring after 42 years of service. He served as assistant chief and as safety officer for the company.
“South Whitehall Township applauds your accomplishments and thanks you for your sacrifice throughout the many years,” board President Diane Kelly said.
“We honor you and are truly grateful for your outstanding service to this great community.”
The board granted preliminary/final approval to a plan for a new roller coaster at Dorney Park.
Commissioners also discussed how to get more people to apply to fill vacancies on township boards and panels.
Kelly said there had been only one application to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Planning Commission.
“We need to find a better way. There must be a reason why individuals aren't applying.”Jacob Roth, South Whitehall commissioner
Commissioner Jacob Roth said the township may need to do more community outreach, as there was also only one applicant for the three alternate vacancies on the Zoning Hearing Board.
“We need to find a better way," Roth said. "There must be a reason why individuals aren't applying.”
The board discussed several ways to try to get more applications but took no official action.
Commissioners also discussed the unsafe conditions of State Route 22 and agreed to send a letter to state officials to let them know about the recurring accidents on the road.
