Politics & Government

Planners Fast Track Weis Projects

Upper Macungie Planning Commission approves Weis fuel station, which aims for a November opening.

This post was reported and written by Tom De Martini.

Approvals for a Weis Gas-N-Go fuel station and two retail buildings proposed for the Weis Shopping Center at 7801 Glenlivet Drive West in Fogelsville were granted Wednesday night by the Upper Macungie Planning Commission.

The fuel station will consist of eight fueling stations, a 204-square-foot kiosk for an attendant and an employee restroom. There will be 21 parking spaces on the site.

Find out what's happening in Upper Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It will not take long to construct this facility," said William Swanick, an engineer with Herbert, Rowland & Grubic of Harrisburg.  "We should start construction with 30 days and see it opening before Thanksgiving."

Swanick said his firm will provide a connecting driveway from the fuel station to the retail sites, at the request of planners.

Find out what's happening in Upper Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Engineers and developers planning the proposed retail stores were so eager to get their project moving that they were willing to make any needed concessions.

"We need this plan approved so desperately, we'll plant trees, we'll do whatever you want. We are very flexible. Tell us what you want an we'll add it to the plan," said Christopher Falnecki of Weiser Engineering Consultants LLC.

"We're running out of time, we're in June right now, we're talking six months of construction time. Do the math," Falnecki said. 

Jay King, Jr. of King's Real Estate Group in Harrisburg spoke of the problems that the delays in approvals have brought on, including competition for contractors.

Falnecki said he hopes construction will begin in early August.

The owner of the property slated for retail development is Weis Markets  Inc. of Sunbury, and the equitable owner, Route 100 Associates LLP of  Hamburg.

The 2.906-acre property plan for the retail sites call for a 9,375-square-foot  multi-use retail establishment. The second retail building is pegged at 8,400 square feet.

Site improvements will consist of at least 99 new parking spaces, access and utilities for the three new facilities.

Both projects are subject to approval by the township's Board of Supervisors at its July 3 meeting.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here