The Allen Township Board of Supervisors has officially paved the way for the FedEx Ground distribution center.

The supervisors approved the $335 million project on Willowbrook Road at the Aug. 14 meeting.

Supervisors Paul Balliet, Larry Oberly and Al Pierce voted in support of the first phase of the project. Voting in opposition was Supervisor Dale Hassler. Supervisor Bruce Frack was absent.

Before the vote, Hassler asked a representative of Rockefeller Group, the developer, if the company was willing to install sidewalks off Willowbrook Road.

"I'm not against the FedEx project, but I do not want to move forward unless I see the sidewalks. I'm sticking firm on that," Hassler said.

Residents Kim and Robert Nappa, speaking on behalf of fellow citizens, cited safety issues and a potential increase in truck traffic.

"This is not right for the community and everybody sees it but you [supervisors]," Kim Nappa said. "Everybody else knows the truth that this is a disaster for us. So, think really hard before you vote tonight."

Oberly said residents have called him, expressing their support for the project.

He ripped the Gilmore Engineering study prepared for Hanover Township, Lehigh County, officials in rebuttal to the Gilmore Company traffic impact study for the township planning commission.

Oberly said the Gilmore letter submitted earlier by resident Robert Nappa "sent up flags" that the letter was based on a description in Allentown leading him to believe the author never visited the township.

Taking the seven issues point by point, Oberly concluded, "I personally consider the Gilmore letter as unsubstantiated."

He also said the letter's claim that the township failed to comply with its zoning ordinance is without merit.

"It makes no sense to me that they would spend more than $335 million to park cars on Route 22," Oberly added.

Hanover Township Chairman Bruce Paulus addressed matters relating to traffic along with Hanover Solicitor Jackson Eaton.

Permitting is still needed along with a host of conditions, including Federal Aviation Administration consent because the site is in the vicinity of the Lehigh Valley International Airport.

The distribution center will offer 700 jobs with as many as 3,000 jobs in the future, supporters have said.

The first phase involves construction of 800,000 square feet and up to 1.2 million square feet later on.

Groundbreaking may occur as early as this fall.