UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — A developer’s plans to build a 150,400-square-foot warehouse along Route 100 will continue to be reviewed by the Upper Macungie Planning Commission at it's meeting on Wednesday night.
The project received favorable reviews at a workshop session on Monday night.
The warehouse project is being proposed by Prologis, an industrial real estate company, and is located within the township’s Light Industrial Zoning District.
The applicant is proposing to build the warehouse and make associated site improvements including parking and stormwater facilities.
The project faced initial opposition from township staff who deemed it inconsistent with local land-use laws. Prologis appealed that decision.
The township’s Zoning Hearing Board, an independent quasi-judicial body, conducted two hearings on the appeal.
Both Upper Macungie Township and Star Hospitality Group Inc., owners of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Allentown West adjacent to the property, raised objections during the hearings.
Late last year, representatives from all parties reached a compromise agreement that included funding for noise abatement, a limit on allowed truck trips and improvements to the shared driveway.
Prologis gave $250,000 to the hotel to use for noise abatement, which will include window inserts and a sound wall.
BlueTriton side paths
The planning commission voiced concerns over side paths and sidewalks at the BlueTriton semi-trailer entrance project at 405 Nestle Way.
The commission is recommending the developer create side paths, not just sidewalks.
Side paths are larger sidewalks, typically between 10 to 14 feet wide, and can accommodate pedestrians, skateboarders, cyclists, roller skaters, etc.
The applicant is proposing modifications to the access road around the site.
Improvements on the site include widening of internal roadways, installing sidewalks, reconfiguring internal traffic patterns, and improving an abandoned roadway, which previously was Fogel Road.
Waiver requests
In other business, the planning commission tabled a waiver request to eliminate the need for curbing along a portion of Nursery Street at the Lehigh Hills apartments Phase 2 development.
The applicant, Jaindl Land Development, proposes to collect stormwater runoff from the 30-foot-wide roadway by installing several inlets within the right-of-way and lot line utility easements.
At issue is a gas line installed by UGI after submission of the final plan which is impacting the construction of curbing.
However, without curbing, the stormwater system would be negatively impacted, said township engineer David J. Alban Jr.
“I really think we should have the plan proposing to build before we consider a waiver for this,” said Paul McNemar, township vice chairman.
The commission also reviewed a waiver request by developers of Hidden Meadows Phase 3 to proof roll the subgrade immediately before installing stone and asphalt on the private roads of the neighborhood.
The request was made in lieu of installing stone backfill 180 days prior to the permanent bituminous base course or pavement as required by the subdivision and land development ordinance, or SALDO.
A proof roll is an assessment of the subgrade layer prior to installing overlying pavement layers.
