- A 116-unit, age-restricted, residential community was approved for Whitehall Township
- The project will consist of single-family attached and detached units for folks 55-and-older
- Also approved was a land development/major subdivision plan that includes a retail business and indoor entertainment center on MacArthur Road
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Township commissioners gave conditional-use approval Monday night for a 116-unit, age-restricted, special care residential community.
They also approved a land development/major subdivision project for a retail center on MacArthur Road.
WB Homes Land Acquisitions, of North Wales, Montgomery County, will build the 55-and-over community on 27.5 acres on Rural Road, between Mechanicsville Drive and Fellowship Road.
The conditional-use request was approved by a 5-1 vote; member Charles G. Fisher was the lone dissenting vote.
The age-restricted homes are planned as 1,700- to 2,000-square-foot single-family attached and detached dwellings.
Also approved was a land development/major subdivision plan for MacArthur Commons at 2601 and 2631 MacArthur Road. It will consist of a free-standing retail business, indoor entertainment center facility, car wash and a future expansion of Walmart.
Owners of the parcels are Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust, of Bentonville, Ark., and ARD Maccommons LLC, of Elkins Park, Pa.
Local residents issued concerns about increased traffic, tree removal and stormwater runoff.
"This will be a great addition to Whitehall Township."Christopher R. Canavan, president, W.B. Homes, Inc.
The proposed age-restricted residential community is located in the township's R-3A zoning district and is consistent with the township’s zoning plan, officials said.
The parcel had long been used for agricultural purposes by the prior owner.
The area surrounding the property is developed with a variety of residential uses, including two special care communities — Horizons at the Village at Whitehall and Fellowship Community.
"This will be a great addition to Whitehall Township," said Christopher R. Canavan, president of W.B. Homes Inc.
Impact on traffic
Commissioners approved plans submitted by W.B. Homes that demonstrated the building design meets the township’s architectural requirements and ordinances.
The requirements were for access, parking, streets and pedestrian walkways, landscaping, utilities, water, sewer, stormwater, trash loading and deliveries.
Under questioning by Erich Schock, legal counsel for the project developer, Canavan addressed the commissioners.
Canavan said the residential community will include a communal clubhouse with a wellness center, fitness center, dining facilities and activity center.
Sidewalks throughout the community and a trail network are also planned.
Plans for the proposed community indicate it would not substantially increase traffic congestion nor overburden the water, sewer, schools, parks or other public facilities.
Canavan referred to a video slide presentation with traffic study data that showed the residential community will be the least impactful to the area relative to traffic.
Board secretary Thomas Slonaker asked Canavan to investigate having a LANTA bus stop in the retirement community.
Neighbors' issues
Commissioners' Vice President Philip Ginder voiced concerns over the residential community plan showing only one entrance, which could be a problem in the event of an accident there. Canavan said he is agreeable to addressing that concern.
Several residents addressed the commissioners during public comment.
William Groller, who lives on Mechanicsville Road, identified that road as one of the most heavily traveled and dangerous roads in Whitehall. He noted numerous fender-benders have occurred there.
Brent Fenstermaker of Mechanicsville Road owns property that stretches three-quarters of the length of the left side of the parcel. He is concerned his retention pond will not be able to handle the amount of stormwater runoff from the main building due to the ground downslope.
Karen Poshefko resides at Fellowship Community. She is concerned about the elimination of trees on the proposed residential community. She believes the reduction of trees would negatively impact wildlife.
Canavan said the project plan calls for the planting of 290 trees and preserving as many older trees as possible.
Construction of the age-restricted community would not begin until fall 2024, according to Justin B. Strahorn, project manager at W.B. Homes.
