A major development including 450 apartment units, several commercial buildings and a shopping plaza was approved Dec. 1 by South Whitehall commissioners.

Spring View Apartments and Commercial, will be constructed on a 40.17-acre tract known as the Bortz property.

The development is bordered by Cetronia Road on the west, Schantz Road to the south, Route 309 to the east, and St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Lexus dealership to the north.

Located in both South Whitehall and Upper Macungie townships, the site will be accessed by a high volume driveway connection to Cetronia Road, directly opposite the entrance to the Integrated Health Campus.

Emergency access will be provided adjacent to the St. Luke’s facility.

Ten 45 unit, four-story apartment buildings with garages in the rear will be laid out on 31 acres, along with a club house, pool and 921 parking spaces.

A PPL high tension power line runs through the property, separating the residential and commercial portions.

Meandering paths offer walkway connections from the apartments to the retail establishments.

Proposed commercial uses include a 5,200-square-foot restaurant, a 4,800-square-foot bank and a 27,450-square-foot shopping area.

A transportation impact study submitted with the plan indicates the development will generate 504 new trips during the morning peak hour and 447 new trips during the weekday evenings peak hour.

Extensive roadway improvements are proposed along Cetronia Road and intersections impacted by the development.

Road widening, turning lanes, and traffic signal modifications are planned for Cetronia Road at the Integrated Health driveway, Tilghman Street, Broadway and Schantz Road.

Township engineer J. Ralph Russek Jr. explained the developer will install pre-emption technology in the new traffic signals.

The device provides a clear go-ahead for emergency vehicles.

“This corridor will be completed for pre-emption,” said Russek, referring to the fact South Whitehall previously installed a few in nearby intersections.

Gerald Harbison, manager of community development, reported Allentown representatives expressed concern about protecting Schantz Spring, a source of water for the city.

A large dome on the storage tank for the spring is located along Schantz Road not far from the proposed development.

Liesel Adam, chief administrative officer of Lehigh County Authority, commented on the matter.

“We look very carefully to make sure stormwater discharge sources will not impact water quality,” Adam said. “We are in the loop with the township to make sure it’s reviewed.

“We did review this plan, and we’re comfortable with what they’ve proposed.”

Representatives of the developer noted since receiving planning approval a year ago, they have worked to have all permits and approvals in line.

The only one outstanding is PennDOT.

Ed Murphy, attorney for the Spring View developer, KRE South Whitehall LP, commented on the plan.

“We’re shovel ready. We’re prepared to start the project as soon as we get the PennDOT permit,” said Murphy.