On June 17, Hanover Township held a special meeting with representatives involved in the proposed FedEx development in Allen Township.

Transportation giant FedEx proposes a hub for its ground operation on land owned by the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allen Township.

On June 16, the Allen Township Planning Commission approved the FedEx proposal and forwarded its recommendation to the board of supervisors.

The proposed million-square-foot warehouse is expected to bring increased traffic to Hanover Township. The developer has proposed expanding highways leading to Route 22. Hanover Township is not required to approve the project, however, certain transportation aspects will require the township's cooperation and consent.

Hanover Solicitor Jackson Eaton updated the standing-room-only audience on council's activities.

"We attended Allen Township's Planning Commission. There were three items on the agenda: a subdivision request from the airport to designate lots for the development, a preliminary final plan for the project and a final plan for the first warehouse proposal. During the discussion on the subdivision, I asked the commissioners to consider the traffic study that we prepared before making a decision. They accepted the study, but voted to approve the subdivision," he said.

Airport Executive Director Charles Everett outlined the reasons the airport backs the project, including that the airport is under a court order to pay a $26-million judgment and that developing this property would relieve it of a serious liability and pave the way for improvements at the airport.

Ronald Gawlik, an engineer with the Pidcock Company, detailed the FedEx proposal.

According to Gawlik, the available 288 acres will be divided into five parcels with two lots reserved for FedEx and one lot for the radar tower. The additional lots are not currently being proposed for development. FedEx proposed two million-square-foot warehouses to be developed by the Rockefeller Group, but they will be phased in.

"The main building and two wings are built first and then the other two wings will be added," said Gawlik.

Gawlik addressed the traffic study in detail. According to the results of the Pidcock study, the increased traffic would not materially degrade conditions on Route 22. Gawlik reviewed the study prepared by Gilmore and Associates at the township's behest. He offered to review the study and address the concerns presented.

Improvements highlighted in the FedEx proposal include expanding Willowbrook and Race streets to four lanes, two in each direction, with turning lanes and appropriate traffic signaling. Added amenities on Race Street include sidewalks on both sides of the street and formal bus stops near Cascade Street. Gawlik did indicate measures for pedestrian crossings.

"We plan on using flashing lights at the crosswalk," he said.

Councilman Michael Woolley expressed concern that pedestrians will be crossing a much busier Race Street.

Woolley asked if traffic controls could be added along Race Street.

"We don't feel it necessary," Gawlik said. "We are doubling the capacity of Race Street, but we are not doubling the traffic."

The township previously expressed its concern that the impact of additional traffic on Route 22 was not fully addressed. Becky Bradley, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, discussed the issue. According to Bradley, Route 22 expansion has been part of the commission's planning for more than 10 years.

"We have plans for expansion and those plans can accommodate the increased traffic," she said.

Bradley addressed the fact presented by the township that Route 22 data should be included in the study.

"The decision to exclude Route 22 was a PennDOT decision. They knew we were investing in Route 22. When the FedEx traffic is plugged into the Route 22 model, it works," she said.

Jarrett Witt, vice president of business development for the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, presented the project as critical to development in the Lehigh Valley.

"We have four other businesses ready to come to the area pending the outcome of this project," he said. Witt explained FedEx has a significant investment in the project and cannot afford to have the gridlock scenario envisioned by some.

Janet Smith, regional director for the Governor's Action Team, Lehigh Valley for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, also spoke on behalf of the project.

"We are in competition with two other states for this facility," she said. According to Smith, the state is behind the project and working closely with PennDOT.

Attorney Joseph Fitzpatrick, who represents the Rockefeller Group, asked council for patience with the process.