Hanover: Two More Big Boxes Planned Along Jaindl Blvd

PennDOT improvements planned along Schoenersville Road

After hearing Hanover Township resident Lorna Rossnagle complain about "extremely disruptive" truck traffic along Jaindl Boulevard, Hanover Tp Supervisors last night heard that developer J.G. Petrucci is planning to build two more big boxes along the same road. Kevin Horvath, P.E., representing Petrucci, presented plans for two flex warehouses (99,000 sq ft and 94,300 sq ft), which he said would be 70% warehouse and 30% light industrial. Supervisors unanimously agreed to consolidate three tracts into one 16.3 acre lot, but the development itself is only in the initial stages.

Residents of Traditions of America, through a spokesperson (I neglected to ask his name), expressed concerns about the noise from truck traffic that already exists along Jaindl Boulevard, which is made worse when trucks go over storm drains. In addition to noise, they are concerned that the larger building will seem higher because it will be built along a higher elevation. The berm in that area is only 2' high and will do little to reduce noise, he observed.

Steve Salvesen said that they will consider these concerns as development progresses, but Township Manager Jay Finnigan warned that if the plan submitted complies with local ordinances, there is little that can be done. "It is what it is," he cautioned.

Michael Prendeville to donate funds to library
for kindle raffle to increase usage

Township engineer Brien R. Kocher later explained that there are sumps at curbs, and if a truck goes into them, it's going to make a loud noise. Finnigan told Supervisors that there's a perception that a large truck is going faster than it actually is,noting he will get complaints about township trucks driving at high rates of speed when GPS shows they are under the speed limit. A truck inspection officer regularly patrols the area.

In other business, Supervisors and residents alike heard from PennDOT on intersection improvements along Schonersville Road, between Eighth Avenue and Stoke Park Road, planned for next Spring.

In a less controversial matter, Supervisors voted to approve a conditional use application by Lehigh Valley Academy for an expansion of their school at 1650 Valley Center Parkway.

Michael Prendeville also reported to fellow Supervisors on a recent visit he had with Bethlehem Area Public Library, in which Hanover Township is a participant. "It's a very difficult industry to be in," he said, explaining that advancing technology presents challenges to a library. He notes that one thing the library does, and does very well, is provide services to children. This includes homework assistance. In order to promote membership and usage by Hanover township residents, he will be donating money to the library for a raffle of kindles to new township users.