The Falls Supervisors moved a step closer to securing 500 new jobs at a vacant riverfront parcel.
The board voted 3-2 to grant final land development approval to LPC, Morrisville LP to construct a 973,200-square-foot warehouse on a 96-acre parcel situated at 2300 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Chairman Jeff Dence and Supervisor Erin Mullen cast no votes.
Mullen voiced concerns related to potential flooding earlier this year when the developer came before the board for preliminary land development approval. At that time, LPC representatives told the Supervisors that LPC would file for a floodplain permit and will also request that FEMA adjust the floodplain boundary, which would move the property out of the floodplain.
During Monday night’s meeting, LPC representatives told the Supervisors that the process to move out of the floodplain would be handled post-construction and would include plans submitted to FEMA showing where the floodplain is situated.
While there is no guarantee that FEMA would oblige, township engineer Joseph Jones said previously that his firm has been working cooperatively with LPC, and said he was confident that FEMA would shift the floodplain boundary.
The developer does not yet have a tenant for the property but envisions the potential for 500 new jobs once the warehouse is built.
The company’s sketch plan, which the board reviewed in 2020, shows the bulk of the property at the former Solvay tract. Two other parcels are comprised of land on South Pennsylvania Avenue and a portion of the former Rogers foam tract on East Post Road.
In anticipating the land development plan, the Falls Supervisors amended zoning to permit warehouses in the riverfront district.
Officials said previously that the warehouse, once complete, would generate $963,000 in real estate taxes to Pennsbury School District, $41,000 in municipal taxes and $33,000 in annual local services taxes.
Developers are planning to widen South Pennsylvania Avenue to help accommodate traffic. In addition, the warehouse would have separate truck and passenger vehicle access. The truck route would be Route 13 to Tyburn Road to South Pennsylvania Avenue. Trucks exiting the site would be directed to turn left and head south along South Pennsylvania Avenue. Passenger vehicles would be able to access the site from both the South Pennsylvania Avenue and East Post Road driveways.
