WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Will it be a warehouse?
Will it be a distribution center?
The township Zoning Hearing Board wants to be certain before approving variances requested by a developer proposing a 1.2 million-square-foot facility on an undeveloped tract along South Church Street.
At an appeals hearing on Tuesday, the board heard from four experts representing the applicant, each of whom tried to persuade the board the project is, indeed, a warehouse.
The hearing will be resumed at the next zoning hearing board meeting on at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board
The hearing was suspended after nearly three hours. It will be resumed at the next zoning hearing board meeting on at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
The township’s objection to a distribution center focuses on the anticipated high degree of tractor-trailer traffic entering and exiting the property each day, as opposed to a warehouse, township Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Christopher Gittinger said.
Gittinger previously issued a verdict that the proposed scope of use as constituting a distribution facility, not a warehouse.
Warehouses are defined as facilities for storing products until they are needed, whereas distribution centers act as a hub for receiving products, processing orders and quickly sending them to their final destination, such as a retail store or a customer.
Experts say it's a warehouse
The applicant, Industrial VI Enterprises, is requesting variances to the zoning ordinance to construct a 53-feet-high building, 18 feet higher than the ordinance permits.
The proposal also requests a variance to allow for a 200-feet-long driveway where a 40-feet maximum is permitted.
The subject properties are in the OS2 Open Space/Limited Industrial Zoning District.
The property at 4690 S. Church St. is adjacent to a limestone quarry. It measures 230.09 acres and consists of six individual parcels that will be consolidated.
The facility would be 2,072 feet long, 620 feet deep and cover 1.2 million square feet.
The site would consist of 653 parking stalls and 288 trailer storage stalls.
The loading dock would allow for 246 positions.
The facility would employ 325 workers during peak hours.
Witnesses for the applicant were Ryan Whitmore of Landcore Engineering Consultants, Gerald Blinebury of Cushman & Wakefield real estate, Jason Kushner of Hillwood and Michael Metzger of Alloy5 Architecture, the project's principal architect.
Each of the experts supported the applicant's contention that the proposed facility fits the description of a warehouse and aligns with the township’s description of such a facility.
Also of concern by the board was repackaging that may be done at the facility, which is common at a distribution center.
The board was assured by the experts that any repackaging would be incidental.
Residents concerned
The experts explained the main size difference between a warehouse and distribution facility is in depth and height.
The building depth metric for a distribution facility would be 100-to-120 feet, much lower than is required for a warehouse.
“If any one of them signs off on this project, and if there’s an accident with a tractor-trailer, that would be on them.”Whitehall resident Alfred Richter
The meeting was standing room only, with many of them residents who oppose the project whether a warehouse or distribution facility.
Alfred Richter, who lives about a half-mile from the proposed site, said he is opposed to any development there.
“This is a rural area, with a two-lane road,” Richter said following the hearing.
Asked what he would say to the hearing board members, Richter didn’t mince words:
“If any one of them signs off on this project, and if there’s an accident with a tractor-trailer, that would be on them.”
