The development of MacArthur Commons along MacArthur Road was granted conditional approval Nov. 12 by Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners.

The shopping center, 2631 MacArthur Road, was purchased earlier this year by Abrams Realty & Development. The company also bought MacArthur Towne Center, 2520 MacArthur Road, last year. The Montgomery County real estate company plans to add more businesses to the shopping center.

MacArthur Commons already has existing retailers including a Giant supermarket, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Burlington Coat Factory, T.J. Maxx and others. The center has lease agreements with new businesses Planet Fitness and Goodwill. Smoothie King and Mod Pizza have reportedly expressed interest in putting their restaurants in the center.

Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. said he was pleased with the development plans.

“We think this will do a lot to extend the life of the facility,” he said.

The board also conditionally approved a request for a deferment of sidewalks along the frontage of MacArthur Commons, requiring that the developer explore other options for pedestrians over the next 90 days. Abrams had sought a deferment on the required installation of sidewalks along the frontage of MacArthur Commons for about 662 feet, citing Pennsylvania Department of Transportation easements and a lack of space in front of two restaurants. Currently, there are no sidewalks in front of Burger King and Panera Bread.

Commissioner Joseph Marx Jr. said he walked along the area and felt it was “impossible to put in sidewalks.”

But board Vice President Philip Ginder disagreed and asked for the developer to see if “anything can be done” to provide a safe pathway for pedestrians.

He said although PennDOT “doesn’t want to encourage walking along MacArthur Road, people will still walk there.”

The board also approved sidewalk deferments for some properties on Fairmont Street between 13th Street and 14th Street and for all the homes along Oak Street between Washington Street and North Ruch Street.

Commissioner Jeffrey J. Warren cast the sole dissenting vote on sidewalk deferment along Fairmont Street, noting there is a LANTA bus stop at 13th and Fairmont streets.

The board also heard a request from the Whitehall Township Industrial & Commercial Development Authority to provide funding for a new director of economic development.

The authority helps new businesses start and incoming industrial, commercial and technology businesses grow by providing assistance in accessing loans and financing opportunities.

Harakal suggested the authority use consultants until the board “determines the appropriate way to move forward until a decision can be made for next year’s budget.”