Proposal For Wawa, Wendy's In Montgomery Township Moves Forward

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, PA — Montgomery Township has agreed to move forward on a proposal to add a bank, a Wendy's, and a Wawa and more as part of a major redevelopment at the corner of Bethlehem Pike and Stump Road.

Higher Rock Partners submitted the development proposal for the 18.25 acre parcel to the planning and zoning board. The preliminary approval Monday means that the township will now hold a public hearing on the proposal on Dec. 18 as the next step in the process.

The property sits across the street from Raymour and Flanigan and Nissan Montgomeryville. The parcel surrounds the present location of Sal's Nursery and Landscaping, most of which would remain under the new development, according to minutes from a Nov. 13 township meeting.

The proposal added that the Wawa would be a "super Wawa" including gas pumps, and that there would also be business offices and other retail options built on the parcel.

In a letter to Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe, the Montgomery County Planning Commission expressed their "general support" for the project, but noted several issues that still required resolution before the project should be finalized.

Among their qualms: the property sits within the Highway Limited Industrial Overlay District (HLI) of the township. The HLI was created in 1997 to "prohibit the spread of intensive retail-commercial uses that generate high traffic volumes."

The Planning Commission representative, Matthew Popek, added that while the new development was counter to the spirit of the HLI, which preached reduction of traffic and lower intensity building, the township could amend the HLI to better reflect the reality of the area in 2017.

The public hearing on the proposal will be held on Monday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. at the township building. Residents are invited to attend.

Image via Montgomery Township