Lehigh Valley planners to review North Whitehall warehouse, Dixie Cup Factory projects

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has some concerns about a warehouse proposed to be built along Route 309 in North Whitehall Township.

An application for a 547,500-square-foot building near the intersection with Orefield and Kernsville roads is among three projects and one ordinance scheduled for review Tuesday by the LVPC Comprehensive Planning Committee. Other projects on the agenda include renovation of the former Dixie Cup Factory in Wilson and the extension of Riverside Drive in Allentown and Whitehall Township.

In a draft letter to North Whitehall Manager Randy Cope, LVPC planners Joseph Dotta, Jillian Seitz and Brian Hite found issues with development of the 71.1-acre site at 3121 Route 309 that covers four parcels and has a residence along with agricultural land and woods.

The warehouse, which is planned to be 50 feet high, “greatly surpasses the scale of surrounding developments,” the letter said. It noted that the land is zoned light industrial and is in the farmland preservation area in the FutureLV general land plan.

It is also in a preservation buffer area, which means the property may have factors available to accommodate development, and while these areas are recommended to remain agriculture, additional scrutiny is warranted in determining the appropriateness of growth.

The planners were also worried about the infrastructure around the property. Traffic studies found that the warehouse would average more than 900 vehicles, including 300 trucks, daily.

“The roadways were not built to withstand the impact of tractor-trailers, public sewer and water is not available and overall the site is not served by adequate infrastructure to accommodate the proposal,” the letter said. “Additionally, the proposal is located adjacent to incompatible land uses, including residential neighborhoods and educational facilities, and the site contains High Preservation Priority Natural Resources.

“The subject property is better suited for smaller-scale low-impact commercial and industrial land uses that support local businesses and residents and can provide a transition between residential and industrial developments.”

Dixie Cup factory rehabilitation

Skyline Investment Group plans to reconstruct the iconic building that used to manufacture Dixie Cup products from 1921 until the early 1980s, and has been mostly vacant since.

It is proposing an adaptive reuse of the building into 405 apartments with 3,373 square feet of commercial space. The project at 315 S. 24th St. is estimated to cost $155 million.

In the draft letter to Wilson Manager Eric Flowers, it was noted the project would increase residential and mixed-use development. Planners also commended the developer for taking steps to safely redevelop a brownfield site.

“The site was previously the Dixie Cup Factory, and while it has been vacant for decades, the building holds considerable local cultural and historical value,” said the letter, written by Seitz, Hite, Dotta and LVPC Executive Director Becky Bradley. “The LVPC commends the proposed retention of the existing building as it is adapted to a new use, which promotes development that complements the unique history, environment, culture and needs of the Valley.”

The letter also noted the property could be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and be eligible for federal historic tax credits. It recommended that the developer contact the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission before any demolition.

Riverside Drive extension

The proposal under review is to extend Riverside Drive about 2.3 miles along the Lehigh River, along with a multiuse trail, between Furnace Street in Allentown to Wood Street/Lehigh Avenue in Whitehall.

There would be connections to Route 22 at Fullerton Avenue, as well as Jordan Drive and Kimmet Avenue.

Planners Seitz and Evan Gardi lauded the project for redeveloping a vacant railroad right-of-way and closing a gap in the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor trail

If the committee approves the letters, the full LVPC board will vote on final approval at Thursday’s meeting.

Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at ejones@mcall.com .