UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — A plan to renovate and expand Trexler Travel Center truck stop at 5829 Tilghman St. was approved Wednesday by Upper Macungie Zoning Hearing Board.
Travel Center owner Hav Dyal proposes to almost double the size of the existing service center from about 4,700 square feet to just over 9,000 square feet.
He also plans to add amenities such as a facility for minor truck repairs and more food options.
“A lot of customers are asking, ‘Why don't you have these amenities?’ Any truck stop needs a small repair facility, a small wash facility.”Travel Center owner Hav Dyal
The plan includes no additional parking spaces. Consultant Anil Jivani said the plan is to improve the customer experience rather than increase capacity.
“A lot of customers are asking, ‘Why don't you have these amenities?’” Jivani said. "Any truck stop needs a small repair facility, a small wash facility.”
The township Zoning Hearing Board needed to approve the plan because the expansion fell under the “special exception” category in township land use laws.
When something is allowed by special exception, that means it is an allowed use as long as the property owner proves it will not harm the township any more than another plan of the same use, township Community Development Director Kal Sostarecz said previously.
The plan now will go through the typical land development process, with final approval by the Board of Supervisors.
What’s in the expansion?
Dyal said the truck repair facility will let truckers do light repairs such as oil changes and replacing tires. It will not be a full-service repair facility, he said.
“There won’t be any engine work,” Dyal said.
The plan also includes a washing station, new gas pumps, shower improvements and a new Pizza Hut Express, which is a smaller version of the pizza chain that does not offer the full menu.
“I can't imagine that new truckers wouldn’t want to come to your site."Zoning Hearing Board member Peter Grodziak
Zoning Hearing Board member Peter Grodziak questioned why Dyal planned to add so many new amenities without increasing the number of parking spaces, especially because the truck stop often already is at capacity.
“I can't imagine that new truckers wouldn’t want to come to your site,” Grodziak said.
Grodziak also said he worries more tractor-trailers will be incentivized to park illegally nearby, such as in empty lots or on the side of Blue Barn Road.
Lawyer with the applicant Leo DeVito said the expansion is needed because there’s now more competition, such as the new Rutters convenience store location along Route 222 in Maxatawny Township, Berks County.
“The idea here is not to increase business, but rather to maintain what we already have,” DeVito said.
DeVito said the owner would be willing to discuss the issues with Blue Barn Road during the land development process.
