Residents of Lehigh Township recently gathered at the township municipal building to hear plans for a Walmart on 34 acres at Riverview (Route 145) and Birch drives.

Many of the residents came from the Hills of Greenock development, which abuts the property in question.

Attorney Tina Makoulian said the retail store is a permitted use in the commercially zoned area. There is no problem meeting the setbacks and requirements for the parking area, which will accommodate 641 cars.

In the center of the property is a small area of steep slopes, which will be leveled if the zoning board approves the request.

If approved, the next step will be a land development plan. Then, Makoulian said, details for the site plan will be discussed.

Engineer Adam Benosky said Bohler Engineering, which has an office in Allentown, is responsible for the site plan. The property is cultivated except for a small grove of trees where the slopes are located.

Benosky said an essentially identical plan was engineered for the site six years ago.

A traffic study was completed at that time, but the building has been changed and shifted 50 to 60 feet. The township has a new slope ordinance.

The main access will be from Route 145 with a secondary road connecting to Birch Drive. Washington Street will be realigned to connect with the main exit. A traffic light and turning lanes will be located in the right of way and no property will have to be taken. The access on Birch was required by the township six years ago.

The property line is located at the inner edge of a berm. A 6-foot sound-attenuating fence and evergreens are proposed to be added. The building is more than 100 feet from the property line al though the requirement is only 30 feet.

The sound study, done by an acoustical engineer, takes into consideration both traffic and rooftop equipment.

In response to a question, Benosky said five dedicated Walmart trucks and five other trucks per day will visit the site.

Some are concerned Pathmark, Kmart and Rite Aid will lose business and lay off employees if Walmart moves in. Walmart expects to hire 300 people.

Benosky countered other businesses in the area where a Walmart is located have remained in a healthy, economic state.

This store would become the third Walmart in a 22-mile area. Benosky said other places have that same density.

Two school bus stops in the area raised concerns.

Residents wanted to know if excavating will require blasting, but that issue will not be known until a contractor is involved.

A Hills of Greenock resident expressed concern about low water pressure, saying he and two others already have heavy-duty pumps in their basements. The developer was to put in a water tank but did not.

Benosky said Walmart's pressure will be lower, so it will not affect the water pressure.

The 129,000 square foot building will house a tire and lube area, garden center, general merchandise, a pharmacy and food as well.

Dirt from the back of the property will be moved to the front to level the ground.

A drainage permit will be required. A 30-inch pipe will take water off site to a basin. Half the parking area will have a 48-inch perforated pipe underground which will hold a sizable amount of water. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [drainage] must be approved by the township, county and state.

Those who desire more information can contact Makoulian at mekoulian@balardspahr.com.