S. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The South Whitehall Planning Commission reviewed a preliminary/final land development plan for a convenience store Thursday night at the municipal building.
The project calls for a 6,049-square-foot Wawa fueling station and food market with associated site improvements on a four-acre tract at 1810 Route 309. The project includes 72 parking spaces, landscaping, lighting, utilities and stormwater management facilities.
Officials with the project said Thursday night there will be eight fueling stations and 16 pumps at the facility.
In a township planning document reviewing the plan, officials said the proposal provides goods and services that could support the surrounding industrial and employment uses. That said, the project’s lack of truck parking and questions surrounding truck access could limit the site’s ability to adequately serve truck traffic associated with the surrounding industrial area.
Officials indicated the applicant should demonstrate how the site will safely accommodate anticipated truck movements without adversely affecting circulation on Route 309 or Chapmans Road.
A further review shows given the site’s location on Route 309, the Wawa should attract truck traffic in addition to required fuel and merchandise deliveries. As such, the township requested the site design account for anticipated truck movements. This includes safe ingress and egress and adequate internal movements and internal circulation.
Wawa officials told planners their stores are “not truck friendly.” They added they would be able to safely accommodate a fuel delivery vehicle.
Planners expressed concerns about truck traffic, while Wawa said it is addressing the issue to the extent possible. Nearby road upgrades are being done as part of a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation project.
Township staff did not recommend plan approval. The planning commission took the project under advisement Thursday night.
Church plans
St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church is proposing the construction of a church, school and other features on the 8.28-acre lot at 670 S. Cedar Crest Blvd.
The commission reviewed a preliminary/final land development plan for St. Paul’s Orthodox Church located at 670 S. Cedar Crest Blvd.
The project includes 10,870-square-foot sanctuary; a 600-square-foot chapel; a 13,425-square-foot fellowship hall; and a 1,600-square-foot storage building. The plan proposes 190 parking spaces.
Both the commission and applicant’s engineer acknowledged the site is a developmental challenge.
The planning commission took the proposal under advisement.
Proposals tabled
Two items on the evening’s agenda were removed. The first involved a proposed Chick-fil-A at 1605 N. Cedar Crest Blvd.
The second review was the fifth phase of Parkland Manor Senior Living facility at 4626-4672 Crackersport Road.