The Whitehall Township Zoning Hearing Board at a recent hearing unanimously rejected a developer's plan to convert an abandoned industrial property in Fullerton to 49 rental units for persons of modest income.

The principal issue preventing the development from getting approval is a lack of sufficient parking.

PathStone Housing Corporation sought to rebuild an industrial site at 215 Quarry St. into The Lofts at Fullerton Mills. PathStone is a nonprofit community development organization.

The initial plans called for 52 units, but at the hearing it was pared down to 49.

The units would provide housing to individuals with incomes ranging from $30,000 to $40,000, or around $48,000 for a family of four. Minor changes were made to parking and driveway widths.

The board was informed one-, two- and three-bedroom units would located in the two- and three-story buildings.

The structures would be upgraded and a portion of the two-story building would be razed to allow for more parking. An additional one-story building would be demolished and replaced with a three-story structure of six units.

Several residents in the neighborhood voiced objections on the basis of increased traffic and parking in an already congested area of Fullerton.

PathStone requested a special exception to replace one nonconforming structure with another, and variances regarding front, side and rear yard setbacks, density requirements and distances between buildings.

The matter came down to insufficient parking for tenant vehicles. The applicants must provide two on-site parking spaces for each unit, a township requirement.

The applicant's position included 69 spaces or 1.3 spaces per unit.

Testimony at the hearing indicated a portion of the units would be reserved for mainly low-income renters and people with disabilities.

PathStone is reviewing its options and possibly considering other sites in the township.