WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A plan to demolish and rebuild the Taco Bell on MacArthur Road has raised some concern with the township Planning Commission and others, primarily about the size of the proposed restaurant.
Whitehall’s Board of Commissioners on Monday discussed details of razing the existing Mexican-inspired fast-food restaurant at 2114 MacArthur Road and building a new, fresher-looking building in its place.
According to correspondence between the township and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the new building will be 2,690 square feet and feature an expanded dual drive-thru, in addition to other site improvements.
The current structure is 2,066 square feet.
"Their new prototype looks like a little gas station that's been converted — that’s what they like — with less tables inside, because everything there is more drive-thru predominant."Whitehall Township engineer Frank Clark
Letters from Keystone Consulting Engineers to the township Planning Commission says the new structure would reduce impervious coverage from 77% to 73%, and that a state Transportation Department scoping study showed “there will not be an increase in trip generation.”
“Their new prototype looks like a little gas station that's been converted — that’s what they like — with less tables inside, because everything there is more drive-thru predominant,” township engineer Frank Clark said.
Delivery area, other concerns
However, the same letter raises concerns about a lack of a delivery area.
The proposed truck-turning plan "starts in the alley to the east and enters the McDonald’s property," it says. "Does the owner have permission to use the McDonald’s property?”
Clark said, “There's a little bit of an issue with the delivery trucks."
"Now, this unit is small enough that you don't have to show the delivery area," he said. "Right now, they're using the alley behind the Taco Bell next to the auto parts store. There doesn't seem to be any problem with that, that's the oddball thing with this project.
“We’re pretty sure they have an agreement with McDonald's that lets the trucks go out through the McDonald’s. I haven't seen that yet, but they are showing it on the plan, which I’m kind of hesitating…
"I have to find out and see that documentation that they're OK with taking the trucks through the McDonald’s.”
“It is important to note that the existing bus top was requested by Taco Bell employees. Any on-site waiting amenities such as benches or a bus shelter would be valued by Taco Bell employees and customers."Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
LVPC also recommended that developers include a bicycle rack to accommodate workers and customers. Also, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority would have to relocate a bus stop on the grounds to make way for an entrance driveway on the property’s northwest corner.
“It is important to note that the existing bus stop was requested by Taco Bell employees,” the LVPC letter reads.
“Any on-site waiting amenities such as benches or a bus shelter would be valued by Taco Bell employees and customers."
The letter also says it would support FutureLV's Regional Plan Policy goals of providing "a safe and well-maintained transportation network" and "improving mobility and job access," and support "universal design.”
Tight squeeze for construction
LVPC also recommended that the developer consider sustainable energy systems, such as solar panels and greywater reuse to minimize environmental impact and reduce overhead operational costs.
Clark said developers initially were interested in installing silt sacks for erosion control, but he told them that it could not be done, as the site is in a high flood area.
Other than those notes, Clark said the developers likely will be “stepping all over themselves” during demolition and construction because of the size of the site.
“They've got to tear the whole building down, rip up most of the parking lot, and build everything while staying on that site. It's tight. I've worked with a couple of things to reset the site and reconfigure some of the construction staging. So they've done that. But beyond that, it's pretty straight up.”Whitehall Township engineer Frank Clark
“They've got to tear the whole building down, rip up most of the parking lot, and build everything while staying on that site," he said.
"It's tight. I've worked with a couple of things to reset the site and reconfigure some of the construction staging. So they've done that. But beyond that, it's pretty straight up.”
Developer Whitehall Commerce LLC of Conshohocken, Montgomery County, got approval from township zoners in April 2024to demolish the existing structure.
At that meeting, the applicant requested a variance to place an accessory trash container enclosure in the front yard of the structure, with an 8-foot setback from the Mickley Road right of way and about a 40-foot setback from the MacArthur Road right of way.
Brian Cleary, project manager of The Pettit Group, said the dual drive-thru will be an economic advantage to the community.
“This is between a $2 million-$3 million reinvestment to keep a Taco Bell there,” Cleary said.
A final vote granting conditional approval for the land development plan is set for the township’s May 13 meeting.
