The future of the Shoemaker Auto Dealership, 4131 Walbert Ave., South Whitehall, consumed much time and discussion at the commissioners' July 17 board meeting.

Residents, consultants, the developer and township staff presented various opinions for the site, while the owner of the property listened silently in the audience.

The issue arose when David Jaindl was undergoing the planning review process for his development of Rutz Farm, which borders the auto dealership.

Jaindl's 90-unit residential subdivison, The Villas at Winchester, will have an extended N. 40th Street as its primary access.

He explained how the Shoemaker land became involved.

"The planning commission asked me if Hampton Road could be integrated as a secondary access," Jaindl said. "This is possible only if Shoemaker is acquired."

Jaindl said he would use the site for a contiguous center with multiple commercial uses, along with a free-standing restaurant site.

South Whitehall Director of Community Development Gerald Harbison explained the township contacted Bill Erdman, of Keystone Consulting Engineers, and Jim Preston, an attorney who specializes in municipal law and development, to review the situation.

Preston reported Shoemaker is a non-conforming use, which is married to the real estate no matter who owns it.

"That use has the right to continue in historic capacity, and all expansion must have some correlation to existing use," Preston said.

He said the connection with the auto function could bring in undesirable businesses.

"The better way is to have Jaindl come in," Preston said. "We know what he wants to do. We would have a chance to control it as part of the adjacent residential land development plan.

"We can get a handle on this and turn it into a more integrated commercial use."

Diane Lemberg, 1447 Buck Trail Road, ex-pressed concern about what Jaindl might place on the Shoemaker site.

"We don't want anything open at night. No bar and nothing to ruin the integrity of our neighborhood," Lemberg said. "Can you guarantee this?"

Jaindl said deed restrictions could be used to specify hours of operation and whether a liquor license would be permitted.

Robert Hammel, 1523 Hampton Road, commented on the matter.

"It is ludicrous and disingenuous to use commercial zoning and Hampton Road for the benefit of Villas," Hammel said. "It will increase traffic going through and change the character of our neighborhood."

Harbison spoke in favor of Jaindl's proposal for the site.

"Here, we have someone willing to develop under the least intensive commercial use," Harbison said.

Erdman added his thoughts.

"Our biggest fear if we miss this opportunity, something different will come in to Shoemaker and residents will be coming in to complain about it," Erdman said.

Jaindl agreed to attend the next commissioners' meeting to continue the discussion.