Major North Whitehall development receives conditional approval
“From my experience, all convenience stores want to operate efficiently and properly and it would be designed in that regard.” — Dave King, King’s Real Estate vice president of operations,
A Berks County company’s plan for a 12-acre commercial development along busy Route 309 in North Whitehall Township has cleared one hurdle.
Township supervisors voted 3-0 Tuesday night to grant conditional approval for a commercial development that includes a convenience store at Route 873, near Route 309.
The proposal by King’s Real Estate Management & Development of Hamburg will still need supervisors’ land development approval, as well as sanctions on such matters as traffic and stormwater discharge.
Right now, township officials have been operating under a conceptual plan from King’s. Asked when North Whitehall officials would receive more specific plans, Dave King, King’s Real Estate vice president of operations, said perhaps in a few months.
King previously told The Morning Call the proposal was in the early stages and at least two years away from completion.
The township zoning board on Oct. 28 voted 3-0 in approving a special exception for one of the key elements of the development: a nearly 6,000 square-foot convenience store with gasoline pumps at Route 873 and Schneck Road. The planning commission also previously gave a favorable recommendation.
The convenience store dominated much of the two-hour virtual hearing, which drew about 40 people, over concerns about such matters as increased traffic and emergency response.
Attorney Joel Wiener, representing an owner of the neighboring Mary Ann’s Plaza, questioned the zoning board’s ruling and whether the convenience store would actually be used as an “auto service center.” But King and King’s Real Estate attorney Blake Marles disagreed.
While King could not tell supervisors the hours the convenience and retail stores would operate, or give other specifics, he sought to allay people’s concerns during his testimony.
“From my experience, all convenience stores want to operate efficiently and properly,” he said, “and it would be designed in that regard.”
Resident Scott Mellen noted the increased traffic has proven frustrating “as someone who has lived in the township 30 years. Since these roads are used heavily by the Parkland School District, did the township reach out to the district?”
Township attorney Lisa Young said North Whitehall officials were not legally required to contact the district. She also noted several times that issues such as traffic, stormwater runoff and more would be addressed before supervisors during the future land development proceeding.
King has declined to give the overall cost of the project or other specifics, such as possible tenants. In documents filed with the township, King’s Real Estate proposes a nearly 6,000-squarefoot convenience store with gas pumps; a 6,800 square-foot-retail retail store; a 30,000-squarefoot medical office building; a 4,500-square-foot bank with a drive-through and a self-storage facility.
King’s Real Estate acquired more than 9 of the 12 acres for $1.2 million late last year under the name Route 309 Associates LLC, Lehigh County property records show. King said Tuesday night the company has either acquired or has under contract to assume the remaining property, including buildings that would be razed.
The privately owned company has developed several properties in Lehigh and Berks counties, including King’s Plaza Schnecksville, which has been opened since at least 1995. Its other local projects include Lehigh Hills in Upper Macungie Township and Cedar Point West in South Whitehall Township.
North Whitehall, home to Trexler Nature Preserve and Lehigh Valley Zoo, has seen signs of commercial encroachment as it tries to balance its mostly longtime rural flavor and emerging development. A Denver developer earlier this year acquired more than 100 acres for nearly $18 million along the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike with plans to build two large warehouses.