SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A plan for a new apartment community in South Whitehall Township likely will not move forward.
Developer Yasin Khan was before the township Board of Commissioners on Wednesday to propose five four-story apartment buildings with 310 units at the northeast corner of Crackersport Road and the northeast extension of Interstate 476.
But commissioners weren't willing to implement the zoning changes the development would need.
- South Whitehall commissioners rejected a plan for a new apartment community in the township
- The plan proposes five four-story apartment buildings with 310 units at the northeast corner of Crackersport Road and the northeast extension of I-476
- The board recommended the developer work with township staff to come up with a new plan that will fit into the existing zoning for the area
The apartments would have a mix of studio and one-, two- and three-bedrooms units.
Proposed amenities include a clubhouse with a fitness center, business center, game room and a cyber cafe. The site would also include a pool, a dog park, pickleball courts, a walking trail and outdoor grill areas.
'Thought this was a better fit'
The property is zoned for industrial development, and the plan is not allowed under the current zoning.
Paul Szewczak of Benchmark Civil Engineering Services, speaking on behalf of Khan, asked the board to consider changing the zoning in some way to allow for the development because he thinks it is a better use for the land.
“We could probably put a 150-to-200,000-square-foot warehouse in this place, and we’ll disturb a lot more natural features to do it. We just thought this was a better fit for this."Paul Szewczak of Benchmark Civil Engineering Service
“We could probably put a 150-to-200,000-square-foot warehouse in this place, and we’ll disturb a lot more natural features to do it," Szewczak said. "We just thought this was a better fit for this."
Szewczak argued that the plan would fit into the character of the area, despite its industrial zoning, because there will be apartments built across the street soon.
“We’re trying to really take this environmentally sensitive parcel and protect it and get some use out of it,” Szewczak said. “It’s been on the market for over 10 years, and it’s a challenge to develop in its current zoning. But we think this is a good alternative.”
Inconsistent with plan, priorities
Commissioners President Diane Kelly said she did not think the board should change any zoning for the plan because it recently adopted a new comprehensive plan.
The board soon will consider zoning amendments to conform with that plan.
“My opinion at this point would be that the township should not change any zoning, but rather stay on track and focus on the township-wide review of our zoning,” Kelly said.
Commissioner Jacob Roth agreed.
“It's not only inconsistent with the comprehensive plan, but by and large I think it's inconsistent with what residents have asked this board and previous boards to prioritize."Jacob Roth, South Whitehall commissioner
“It's not only inconsistent with the comprehensive plan, but by and large I think it's inconsistent with what residents have asked this board and previous boards to prioritize,” Roth said.
The board recommended the developer work with township staff to come up with a new plan that will fit into the existing zoning for the area.
