Bethlehem Township commissioners have up to 45 days to decide whether to allow a proposed apartment complex on the well-known former V-7 driving range along William Penn Highway and Hope Road to move forward.
“My recommendation is not to make a recommendation,” township Solicitor James L. Broughal told the board at its meeting Monday night. “You have 45 days to make the decision with or without conditions.”
Chrin V-7 Associates LP, a family trust set up by Palmer Township’s Charles Chrin Cos., has proposed a complex featuring between 264 and 268 “garden apartments” in nine buildings on nearly 17 acres. A 10th building will include amenities for renters, according to engineer Shaun Haas.
The V-7 driving range, miniature golf and restaurant have been closed for about two decades, with the restaurant demolished several years ago. Sitting on prime ground near the northbound Route 33 lanes and off the William Penn Highway exit, V-7 has been the subject of at least two commercial development concepts during that time. Neither came to fruition.
Chrin V-7 Associates first proposed the residential complex in 2023 but had to resubmit revised plans following review by the township zoning and planning boards. The planning commission recommended on Jan. 27 that supervisors give conditional approval.
Traffic engineer Zakary Ruppert testified Monday the complex will not add to severe road congestion or hazards. He based that on a study that includes plans to add intersections from the development.
Asked if the traffic assessment takes into account the anticipated additional cars and trucks from the highways, Ruppert said despite there being nine nearby developments planned, those roads and neighboring streets should be able to withstand additional traffic.
That drew disagreement from two residents.
Barry Roth said traffic has risen substantially along Hope Road, which has become a feeder to the nearby Southmont shopping center.
“As someone who drives that on a regular basis, traffic is atrocious in both directions,” Roth said. “I see nothing but problems, because it is a shortcut.”
“I think this is going to be a traffic nightmare,” Tom Keefer said. “I know we need the housing, but it’s already a traffic nightmare. It’s going to get worse.”
Roth also said the proposed apartments would exacerbate stormwater discharges from heavy rain and flooding along neighboring streets.
Haas described revisions made to the plans, including consolidating and moving units closer to the William Penn exit of Route 33 to comply with maximum setback requirements from the highway and Hope Road.
The complex’s current design fits the criteria for the township’s zoning in that area, he said, which is part office-business district with overlays for both commercial and street enhancements.
If commissioners approve the conditional use application, the developer will then have to submit a more detailed, fully engineered site plans for review under a land development approval process, Broughal said. Under a conditional use, a municipality can impose additional stipulations for a property owner/developer.
Broughal said the conditional use vote will take place during one of commissioners’ upcoming meetings.
Contact Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone at asalamone@mcall.com.
