Bethlehem City Planners reviewed the sketch plan for Westgate Mall, Phase Three Feb. 11. Joe Fitzpartrick, local counsel for Onyx Equities, described the next phase of development for the center. He was joined by Traffic Engineer Rob Hoffman, Ryan Whitmore of Landcore Engineering Consultants, PC, and Vice President of Asset Management for Onyx Equities Mattew Flath. Fitzptrick opened with thanking the Planning Commission for their patience as the 55-year old shopping center is revived in stages.

Phase Three concerns two freestanding properties in the shopping center. A credit union will occupy the space that was once a diner. A new, freestanding fast-food restaurant will be on the northwest corner of the center. Ryan Whitmore, of Landcore Engineering Consultants, PC, explained the project was in the design detail planning phase, with PennDOT permitting and filing, and a sketch plan and scoping application to LANTA; all of same being copied to Hanover Township. He added this was very similar to the previous year’s plan, with a few changes:

In addition to the credit union and fast food outparcels, there would be a pedestrian access improvement, with the construction of full frontal sidewalks. Two internal bus stops are under consideration for the site, one by the fast food restaurant, and one in front of the new Weiss Market location. One stop would serve northbound bus traffic, the other southbound bus traffic. Some landscaping would be added to the southern part of the center. A parking area at the rear of the former Bon-Ton building will be striped. There is also a plan to move the existing crosswalk access to the upper right corner of the site. The credit union will have two drive-through lanes, and one ATM lane.

Chairman Melosky asked Rob Hoffman to speak on whether a study had been done to ascertain if traffic would back up in the center, particularly near the Credit Union’s drive through lanes.

Hoffman explained that the scoping documents were sent to PennDOT in December, and were received back in January with comments. A resubmission will take place within a few weeks. A traffic study will be next. He added that a “bank sometimes is not as fast as a fast food chain (drive-through), I would make sure it’s squared with traffic.”

Vice Chairman Malozi said he is “excited to see an internal bus stop.” However, he questioned the buses turning left to go northbound, and asked about input from LANTA, and if there way for Lanta to have another entrance.

Ryan Whitmore replied that he was in talks with Molly Wood from LANTA. The routes for LANTA are under LANTA’s jurisdiction. Logistical factors, including route, other stops, etc., come into play.

Chairman Melosky noted the proximity of the northern LANTA route to the stop light. He said, “It’s so close anyway, to me it seems it might be more conducive to proceed to the light and make the left anyway.” Melosky asked, “Mr. Hoffman, is there a timeline when LANTA will have a more definitive answer (on the bus stops).”

Hoffman replied, “Not yet, to be determined. Based on the latest discussions, we will plan for LANTA to be part of Phase 3, when the time comes, to construct site improvements.”

Board member Cohen asked about the orientation of the fast food restaurant building.

Hoffman responded the drive-through would be on the left, or south side, and per the city zoning ordinance, the pick-up windows would face the interior of the shopping center. He added there would be multiple pedestrian access points on the other three sides of the building.

Cohen then asked whether there would be shrubbery to screen the drive-through queuing at both the fast food restaurant and credit union. Hoffman answered that it would be “limited…we’ll see what we can do.”

Vice Chairman Malozi asked if Catasauqua Road is a state road. Hoffman replied that it is not, but Schoenersville Road is.

Malzoi continued, asking if the date of Sept. 21, 2021 would cause any issues with the submission of the land development plan for Phase 3. Hoffman said it would not.

Chairman Melosky noted that the work on Phase 2, the construction of the gas canopy and the moving of Weis, is underway. He said, “It’s nice to see they’re already working.” He asked, “Do we have a commitment on the fast food restaurant?”

Flath said they are “close to an agreement.” He added there would not be an announcement that night on the name of the credit union, but that both were “good, high quality names.” He continued by saying that phases 4 and 5 would complete the project, and his team would return with those plans at another time.

Zoning Director Darlene Heller indicated that there would not be a motion on the floor. The plan was being presented for the commission’s viewing and suggestions.

Chairman Melosky thanked the group for taking the time to present their plan, and complimented their progress.