Warehouse developer looks to Kline Twp. for parking
May 12—Another warehouse developer came before the Kline Twp. supervisors.
But, unlike the four warehouses proposed by Brewster Development Co. for 347 acres near Lofty Road, only a small portion of this development, proposed by BlueCup Ventures LLC, will enter Kline Twp.
The Kline Twp. swatch of BlueCup involves 1,245 parking spots in a triangular shaped piece of land. The area is labeled as "overflow parking" on a plan distributed to those attending Monday's monthly supervisors meeting.
The majority of BlueCup's three-warehouse plans involve land along Route 309 in Hazle Twp. between Hazle Village and Beaver Brook. The parking area would border a warehouse in Beaver Brook.
Jeff Randolph of BlueCup introduced himself and reviewed the company's proposal.
"We can't do this without you," he said to officials and residents.
Township solicitor Mark Semanchik said the developer will have to submit an application to Kline Twp. and introduce more formal plans for review.
Randolph said part of the plans involves reducing an existing culm bank in Beaver Brook to about half its height, though Randolph would like to see it totally removed.
Traffic, he said, would mostly head north from the warehouse complex via a signalized intersection, heading toward Interstate 81 and Route 424, while some workers may travel through McAdoo to get to the facilities. The developer plans to create about 2,000 jobs.
Randolph said a buffer is planned to separate the facilities from residents in Beaver Brook. The company is also trying to help residents there by improving existing water flow problems, said Randolph.
The benefits for Kline Twp., he said, is an increased tax base without additional traffic and noise.
BlueCup is just one of multiple warehouse projects eyed for the area.
Randolph said warehouse developers are eyeing up land in the area due to the "supply shock" that many companies realized during the pandemic. To halt a shortage of supplies in the future, those companies are investing in warehouses to ensure product is available, Randolph said.
In other news:
n Residents were told that the next public meeting concerning the unrelated Brewster warehouse development will likely take place later this month.
n The supervisors thanked businesses for donating $100 each to the firefighter, police and military memorial area near the municipal authority. PSI, Five Star International and Boyer's all donated to the cause, while van Hoekelen Greenhouses donated flowers.
n The supervisors authorized Supervisor Chairman Dale Wesner to seek out road paving grants and grants to provide ADA compliant sidewalks and bathrooms in front of the township garage as it serves as a township meeting and voting location.
n The township will advertise for bids from garbage haulers as its current five-year contract comes to a close.
Contact the writer: achrist
man@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3584
