L. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – The Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners granted preliminary/final land development approval for a mixed-use project Thursday night at the municipal building.
The project, known as The Shoppes at Hamilton, calls for 318 apartments, a 160-room hotel and 20,000 square feet of retail on a 54.4-acre parcel at 617 N. Krocks Road. The plan offers 740 parking spaces for the site’s residential portion, 166 spaces for the hotel, and 78 for the project’s commercial portion.
The property is in the township’s Highway Commercial district and is located at the northeast corner of North Krocks Road and the Frederick Jaindl Memorial Highway intersection.
The development will be served by two roads identified on plans as “Road A” and “Road B.” Road A will have a full movement intersection with North Krocks at the development’s northern end, while Road B will employ a right-out only intersection with North Krocks at the development’s southern end.
The 318 apartments will be contained in 10, three-story buildings. The complex will have a clubhouse, a pool, grilling areas, a dog park and recreational facilities. The rentals will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The hotel will utilize four stories and will be operated by Hilton or a Hilton brand. The proposed retail will encompass about 19,800 square feet to support apartment tenants.
The project will be implemented in two phases with most occurring during the first, with additional apartments added during the second.
The township will acquire more than $2 million from the developer as conditions for approval. This includes more than $788,000 in traffic impact fees and $1.2 million in recreation fees.
Commissioners discussed intersection possibilities, traffic coordination and pedestrian safety prior to the vote. One commissioner said supporting the project would perpetuate an already problematic traffic situation.
“I won’t vote to lock in a dangerous situation,” board President Ron Beitler said. “…It will not get better.”
The vote was 4-1, with Beitler dissenting.
617 N. Krocks Road, Allentown