On the agenda for Upper Macungie supervisors Nov. 6 was the Old Dominion Warehouse Distribution ruling by township zoners.

The opportunity for discussion drew standing-room-only numbers as residents crowded the meeting room.

Prior to opening the floor for comment, Chairman James Brunell offered this synopsis.

"Old Dominion came in front of the zoning hearing board with respect to putting in a facility off Snowdrift Road in the industrial park on Ambassador Drive, zoned light industrial," Brunell explained. "There was a determination by our zoning officer it would be a trucking terminal and would not be able to be put in that location.

"The applicant made a case and came before the zoning appeals board to appeal that decision, and it was ruled in favor for Old Dominion."

Resident Sunny Ghai read a prepared statement on behalf of members of the community who disagreed with the zoning board's decision.

"I come today representing citizens that oppose the verbal interpretation rendered Oct. 8, 2014, by the Upper Macungie Township Zoning Board to define the proposed Old Dominion Freight Line trucking terminal as a distribution warehouse."

The proposed project is a 44,000-square-foot facility on 14 acres with plans to include 80 dock bays, parking for 138 trailers and an additional 80 parking spaces.

"The impact it will have on the neighbors and business would be significant and adverse," Ghai said.

He offered a variety of concerns, most important, he said, was the safety of pedestrians and drivers in the area.

"Unsafe roads make for unsafe conditions," Ghai said, also mentioning the increased number of motor vehicle accidents and lack of sidewalks in the area.

At issue is whether the proposed use of the land at 6975 Ambassador Drive is a distribution/warehouse or a trucking terminal.

The board released an information sheet stating the zoning hearing board relied on the testimony of the applicant and the interested parties who appeared before the board.

Relying on the testimony and the record, zoners voted to interpret the proposed use as a distribution/warehouse.

Secretary Kathy Rader said the board could not take a position as the decision was not yet received by supervisors.

Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. must still obtain a conditional use permit from the township.

Planners were expected to review the conditional use on Nov. 19.

"There will be a public hearing with a record being established," said Solicitor Andrew Schantz.

Following the hearing, planners will submit its recommendation to supervisors and the board will then approve or deny the conditional use application, in part based upon these recommendations.

In order to be approved for conditional use, a variety of standards must addressed and met by the applicant including traffic, safety, site planning, stormwater management and minimizing disturbances to the surrounding neighborhood.

"The zoning board is following the process," Brunell told residents. "You have to stay engaged..."