Store, retail included in development proposal
A Berks County company developer that years ago built a shopping center in North Whitehall Township wants to put in a convenience store, retailer and medical officebuilding onnearby land — expanding on the rural community’s commercial development.
King’s Real Estate Management & Development of Hamburgsubmittedplansearlier this year to the township, which must grant approvals for zoning and land development.
The township zoning board will hold a virtual meeting 7 p.m. Oct. 28onthedeveloper’s special exception request concerning the convenience store, North Whitehall manager Christoper Garges said. In addition, townshipsupervisors will take upthedeveloper’s conditional use application Nov. 17, he said, after it had been postponedin September at the developer’s request.
Garges explained that the project developers also need to receive other approvals, including related to traffic and stormwater discharge.
Dave King, King’s Real Estate vice president of operations, declined to give the overall cost of the project or other specifics, such as possible tenants. He stressed that the proposal is in its early stages and said the project was at least two years away from completion.
But 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; 30,000-squarefoot medical office building; a 4,500-square-foot bank with a drive-thru 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. It told the township it has either acquired or has under contract to assumetheremaining property, whichhasseveral existing buildings that must be razed.
Garges said the property, which is along Route 873, on the east side of Route 309, is zoned and planned commercial. Township residents can find out more about the proposed commercial project on its website: northwhitehall.org.
The project has already drawn interest and questions from residents, according to Garges, despite being in its early stages.
The township is noted for its rural flavor; it is home to Trexler Nature Preserve and Lehigh Valley Zoo. But it recently drew attention when a Denver developer acquired more than 100 acres for nearly $18 million along the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike with plans to build two large warehouses.
Township supervisors approved the warehouses in January, subject to the developer complying with recommendations from the planning commission, township engineer, sewage enforcement officer and zoning officer.
“It’s fighting what a lot of communitiesnorthof[Interstate] 78 and [Route] 22 are fighting,” Garges said of the balancing act betweenretaining the township’s rural flavor with future development.
King’s Real Estate has developedseveral 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.