Warehouse plan resurrected after developer pulls out

Northpoint LLC, the developer behind several warehouse projects in Berks County, has removed itself from a proposal to build a pair of warehouses on 64 acres bordering Route 422, Township Line Road, and Tollgate Road in Amity Township.

The plans called for two facilities — one 708,000 square feet and the other 208,000 square feet —on the site within the light industrial zoning district, which permits building warehouses.

A Dec. 16 letter by NorthPoint of Riverside, Mo., announcing the withdrawal to the township was simple, stating only: “We regret to inform you that Northpoint

seeks to withdraw our land development plans for the Amity Logistics Center effective immediately. Unfortunately we cannot continue with this project at this time.”

The project — under review by the township engineer at the time of Northpoint’s withdrawal — was immediately resurrected by landowner 422 Properties LP, Plymouth Meeting, according to Troy Bingaman, township manager.

He said 422 Properties resubmitted the same plans on Jan. 3.

He said a review letter has since been issued by the township engineer, and the plans will likely be up for review at the planning commission’s March 9 meeting.

It was unclear if 422 Properties plans to gain project approval, then sell the property to another developer or seek tenants themselves, Bingaman said.

Northpoint did not respond to a request for comment on the decision to withdraw from the project.

Northpoint previously stated that the Amity Logistics Center would create roughly 240 jobs in the area when completed.

The developer is also embroiled in a legal battle in Cumru Township as Penske, residents of Flying Hills and nearby business owners contest Cumru’s decision to rezone a 171-acre property bordering Route 10 and Freemansville Road to allow for building warehouses.

Northpoint’s plans for a 739,000-square-foot warehouse on that site are on hold until the legal challenge is resolved.