Developer Lew Ronca has agreed to completely reconstruct about a third of Brodhead Road in Bethlehem Township. He made this commitment in connection with a 513,000-square-foot warehouse distribution center he plans to build along the south side of Brodhead Road and north side of Route 22.

It’s a 37-acre tract that had been originally pitched as a Wal-Mart Super Center. At their May 1 meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a multi-tenant warehouse center after a presentation by prominent land use attorney Blake Marles. Ronca’s work on Brodhead Road is expected to save taxpayers $700,000. But the township will pay to reconstruct the remaining two thirds of the 5,00-foot-long road this summer.

Ronca’s project includes 113 loading docks and parking for 222 cars and 141 trailers. It will be accessed exclusively by Brodhead Road. In its review, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission noted the proposal is in an area designated for urban development and is consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan. The plan maintains a 150-foot buffer from Monocacy Creek, a high quality cold water trout stream that traverses the property. Because of its close proximity to Route 22, it is expected to have little negative impact on residential communities. But the truck traffic will access Route 22 at a high crash intersection.

Marles asked the township to waive a $135,000 recreation fee, but seemed to get nowhere on that issue. He might persuade commissioners to waive inspection fees for the road construction, since Ronca is doing work that the township would otherwise be required to do.

Ronca stayed away from public meetings during the Martin Tower debate, but he was out in front of this project and attended the public meetings.

In other business, the commissioners unanimously authorized Township Manager Melissa Shafer to advertise for bid the stabilization and renovation project for the Archibald Johnston mansion. Estimates have placed the cost of that work at $700,000, but it would come from the Housenick Trust.