WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A plan to build an assisted and independent living development and memory care center and another for 57 townhomes and 59 single-unit homes were reviewed Monday by township commissioners.
Developers of both projects are seeking to proceed in phases.
The projects, each of which previously received conditional final approval, will be on the agenda for the full board of commissioners meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.
“If they break it into phasing, they don’t have to put up as much money all at once. That will make it a lot cheaper for them to put the first building up, generate some revenue and then have enough money to secure the rest of the project.”Whitehall Township engineer Frank Clark
The projects are at Fellowship Community, an assisted and independent living and memory care center at 3600 Mauch Chunk Road, and Emerson Village at 3626 Rural Road.
Fellowship Community plans to expand by constructing 24 luxury apartments over three buildings on its 67-acre campus.
Each building at The Suites at Fellowship Community would include apartments with 1,050-1,450 square feet, featuring smart home technology.
Fellowship Community is making the request because of a lack of funding for the security deposit for the infrastructure.
“If they break it into phasing, they don’t have to put up as much money all at once,” township engineer Frank Clark has said.
“That will make it a lot cheaper for them to put the first building up, generate some revenue and then have enough money to secure the rest of the project.”
Emerson Village project
W.B. Homes, Inc., developer of the Emerson Village project, is looking to split the land into two distinct phases.
The project consists of constructing 57 townhomes and 59 single-unit homes on the 35-acre property.
The developer’s intention to expand in phases was conveyed during their approval.
The townhomes will be priced in the high $400,000s, while the single-unit homes will cost $525,000-$535,000.
Grist Mill program
Also Monday, commissioners reviewed an ordinance authorizing acceptance of a proposal for funding the Helfrich Springs Grist Mill and Peter Grim House Accessibility Project.
The ordinance will award a $30,800 contract for a consultant to draft plans for the project.
The cost of the project will be paid with a combination of grant funding, historical society funds and township recreation matching funds.
Funding will support the planning, design and construction to create ADA-accessible access to both locations on Mickley Road, as well as updating the parking lots.
said the project consisted of "a lot of unknowns" such as how to restore the property, its long-term preservation and construction of a ADA accessibility route.Whitehall Township engineer Frank Clark
Commissioner Phil Ginder questioned the high amount of the contract.
Township engineer Frank Clark said the project consisted of "a lot of unknowns" such as how to restore the property, its long-term preservation and construction of a ADA accessibility route.
Also planned is development of a historic restoration and maintenance plan for the property that will include a site evaluation, a prioritization of immediate and future restoration/maintenance work, a description of each noted project and recommended materials and any municipal requirements related to the work.
Both properties are now owned by the township.
The issue goes before the full board on Monday.
Built by Peter Grim in 1807, the Helfrich Springs Grist Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
The Whitehall Historical Preservation Society began preservation of the mill in 1984. It has become the hub for monthly speaker programs and special events, while standing as a museum of Whitehall Township’s colorful and unique history.
The Peter Grim Homestead, which was the miller’s residence, was built in 1834, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
The homestead houses the society’s research library, and office headquarters are located in this building.
