WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Concerns about potential safety issues with tractor-trailer traffic at the proposed Fullerton Terminals distribution center were expressed by the township board of commissioners Monday.
The land development plan consists of a 190,400-square-foot distribution facility at 2451 Main St., near Range Road, that would be built on 13.95 acres of the existing 37.19-acre parcel.
The primary issue delaying the project is the potential increase in tractor-trailer traffic on local roads, particularly intersections such as Range and Eberhart roads.
The developer, Landston Equities LLC, an entity of Jaindl Land Co., has agreed to cap truck traffic during peak hours to two trucks entering and two exiting.
“There’s no way a truck will cross across five lanes to make a right turn. It’s a disaster that’s going to last forever, especially on a busy day.”It also has agreed to cap the daily total truck traffic to 40 trucks in and 40 out.
The developer has proposed upgrades to certain intersections, including Range and Eberhart roads, and testified that traffic would be routed south toward Route 22.
“I don’t know how you come off Eberhart Road and turn right onto 145,” Commissioner Philip Ginder said.
“There’s no way a truck will cross across five lanes to make a right turn. It’s a disaster that’s going to last forever, especially on a busy day.”
Commissioners Jeffrey Warren and Elizabeth Fox also expressed worry over the potential hazard because of truck traffic.
Commissioners will discuss the topic further at the full commission meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10.
The board agreed to invite Peter Terry, township traffic engineer, to the full meeting for further clarification on the project.
Commercial building off Grape Street
Also Monday, commissioners reviewed a request by developer Catawba Associates, of Allentown, to rezone from office park to regional/community commercial a 1.235-acre parcel along Jordan Boulevard between Grape and Jefferson streets.
The ordinance seeks to change the present zoning for the parcel north of the existing Chili’s and Olive Garden restaurants along Grape Street.
Lee Rackus, township bureau chief of zoning and development, clarified for Commissioner Ken Snyder that the entire tract is not being requested to be rezoned.
Also reviewed was a developer’s request to defer installing curbing and sidewalks for 193 feet along the frontage at 1055 N. Sixth St.
The applicant proposes demolishing a building and constructing a 6,419-square-foot commercial building.
Other business
Commissioners reviewed the following ordinances:
- Acceptance of a proposal to buy a swift water rescue boat for the township’s fire department.
- Acceptance of a proposal to buy replacement self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCUBA, gear for the fire department. The purchase is offset by a $375,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant, with the rest of the expense assumed by Whitehall Firefighters’ Relief Association.
- Acceptance of a proposal to buy the five-year Axon suite master services and purchasing agreement. Axon provides all equipment and other expenses for body cameras, in-car cameras, Tasers, investigative officer video, evidence room video and storage and other associated costs.
- Acceptance of a proposal to buy two 2024 Ford F-350 4x4 trucks for the public works department. The average cost for each truck is $60,000.
Commissioners also discussed resolutions requesting Pennsylvania Local Share Assessment grants to buy an asphalt milling machine, improvements to the interior and exterior of the Mickley-Prydun Farm main house and replacement of the rescue pumper fire truck for the Egypt Fire Station.
