Construction could start this fall on South Whitehall residential development

Construction could start this fall on The Hills at Winchester, a 111-acre residential development on the former Rutz Farm on Walbert Avenue in South Whitehall Township.

Developer David Jaindl said Wednesday he has the planning commission’s recommendation for approval and expects to have final approval from the township board of commissioners by the first week in May.

The project includes construction of 206 units of age-qualified housing for those 55 and older and 44 half-acre fee lots of single-family housing, Jaindl said.

The Jaindl Land Co. is under agreement with Toll Brothers, a Horsham-based homebuilder who will be the developer and builder for the 55 and older community, while Jaindl will develop the single-family fee lots. The project should take about two years.

A restaurant pad site also is considered for construction; Jaindl said a decision would come in the next six months or so on what to do with that piece of the property.

Shoemaker’s, a used-auto dealership that’s still active, also is part of the development and under agreement of sale. However, Jaindl said, he does not yet own it.

“We are still going through the process with the township,” said Bryan Shoemaker, owner of the business. “There are no definite dates yet.”

The restaurant pad site is proposed for the Shoemaker property, said Gregg Adams, township planner.

While no specific type of restaurant is planned, the township is reasonably sure it would not be fast food, Adams said.

The development would have two access points, one at Walbert Avenue and 40th Street and another at Walbert Avenue and Hampton Road.

“It’s a great area; it was a parcel that we looked at for a long time,” Jaindl said.

For the 55 and older community, the developer is proposing a clubhouse and pool, Adams said.

The clubhouse and pool will be built first, Jaindl said.

Jaindl also is proposing a 10-acre park off Brickyard Road that would be dedicated to the township, Adams said.

Overall, Adams said, the project would fulfill a housing need in the township.

“It brings something that’s needed here and that’s a 55 and older community,” he said. “They want to retire in their community. We have gotten a lot of positive feedback.”

The project is up for final approval on May 6, Adams said.

Source: LVB