WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Plans for a 190,400-square-foot distribution facility along Main Street received unanimous conditional final approval from the Whitehall Township Planning Commission on Wednesday night.
The project, called Fullerton Terminals, is being developed by Landston Equities LLC, an entity of Jaindl Land Co.
The facility at 2451 Main St., near Range Road, would be built on 13.95 acres of the existing 37.19-acre parcel.
Plans include 28 loading docks, 148 parking spaces, a building 53 feet high, 340 feet deep and 550 feet wide, with 10 56-foot bays.
The plan will be further discussed at the board of commissioners full meeting on Monday, Nov. 10.
The developer was represented by attorney Erich J. Schock, of the Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba law firm, and Rocco Caracciolo, a Jaindl engineer and land development project manager.
The project had received conditional use approval from the township commissioners, but had been subject to delays during planning commission meetings.
“I ask that you look at this (potential truck traffic problem), maybe outside the box, or anything else to look at to keep the chaos under control.”Jonathan Bolton, chair, Whitehall Township Planning Commission
What's delayed the project?
The primary issue delaying the project is the potential increase in tractor-trailer traffic on local roads, particularly intersections like Range and Eberhart roads.
The developer has agreed to cap truck traffic during peak hours to two trucks entering and two exiting. It has also agreed to cap the daily total truck traffic to 40 trucks in and 40 out.
“We had one of our tractor-trailer drivers drive there, with one of our engineers behind him videotaping,” Caracciolo said. “He made all the maneuvers with no problems.”
The calculated numbers of cars and trucks near the site is consistent with conditional use, said Peter Terry, township traffic engineer.
“There’s not a high volume of trucks, but it is difficult to get in and out,” he said.
The developer has proposed upgrades to certain intersections, including Range and Eberhart roads, and testified that traffic would be routed south toward Route 22.
“There’s a fair concern of consideration of the trucks going through the jughandle,” said commission chair Jonathan Bolton. “There have been a lot of accidents with truck drivers lately, so that’s a concern.
“I ask that you look at this, maybe outside the box, or anything else to look at to keep the chaos under control.”
The developer is waiting for responses for various permits from agencies like the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
The building would likely host one tenant, although the possibility exists for multiple tenants.
