Supervisors Hear Comment On Jaindl Land Swap

Upper Macungie supervisors heard from representatives from Jaindl Land Co. and members of the public Wednesday night concerning a proposed .

But the three-member board, after hearing the testimony and public comment, voted to table the matter until its January 3, 2012 meeting.

The proposal, if ultimately allowed by supervisors, will allow a manufacturing company to build a new facility at the southwest corner of Schantz Road and Route 100.

Land developer David Jaindl and project engineer J. Scott Pidcock, want the  board to rezone a to light lndustrial from highway commercial.

Forty-four of the 60 acres will be used for the so-called Project Pilgrim, which will be used to build a 315,000 square foot industrial building for use by Ocean Spray.

"This will be all upside and no downside for the township," said Jaindl Land Co. attorney Joseph Zator. "Project Pilgrim is a manufacturing facility that is good for jobs and good for Upper Macungie Township.

Pidcock told supervisors and the public that the proposal is consistent with the township's comprehensive plan. He said the zoning swap would make for better traffic conditions within township's busy corridor.

Increasing traffic and road congestion is always a concern in Upper Macungie Township and members of the public made their voices heard in that regard.

"We rely on Schantz Road and (Route) 100 to be clear," said resident John Landis. "What's the solution for our township. How will we keep people coming to our businesses?"

Pidcock admitted that the Ocean Spray project would be in jeopardy if the zoning swap did not occur.

That drew the ire of some township residents.

"Jaindl is presenting a doomsday scenario," said resident Joe Corcoran. "Pretty soon, we'll have heard about everything but the quarry and the turkey farm."

"The township doesn't really need this," said resident Andrew Shope. "What happened to the township's zoning? It would be asinine to put another traffic light on Route 100 to benefit the Jaindl Land Co. once again."