UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — A plan to nearly double the size of a manufacturing facility in a warehouse and industrial park was approved Wednesday by the township planning commission.
Planners voted to recommend the land development plan for a 53,900-square-foot expansion of the business and parking lot at a building used by building siding company ATASin the park between Snowdrift Road and Grant Way.
ATAS International Vice President Jim Bus said in February the expansion would add about four truck trips per day, or up to 24 total round-trip truck trips.
Bus said a traffic review found no significant impact on nearby intersections.
Final approval for the plan now will go before the Upper Macungie Board of Supervisors, who next meet May 2.
Another warehouse project
Another warehouse expansion, for the XPO facility at 7649 Penn Drive, was reviewed, with township officials putting the building expansion at 19,810 square feet, and 21,278 square feet when parking lot expansions are considered.
Planning commission members discussed with the attorney for the developer various requested waivers and requirements for the project, including a planned widening of Penn Drive for southbound traffic toward Star Road and the Route 100 intersection and a desired tree line.
A zoning waiver to expand a truck terminal beyond typical regulations was passed to allow for the expansion at the Nov. 8 Zoning Hearing Board meeting.
Technical review for the project is ongoing and the board was unable to offer a full recommendation as a result, but preliminary recommendation for the plan was granted.
At a prior meeting, planners expressed concern the expansion would create a noise concern because of its proximity to hotels and an educational center.
The board also followed staff recommendation to table the final review of the night for a land development plan for a proposed subdivision at 1050 Mosser Road that would allow 10 single-family units on the lot.
