Palmer Approves Industrial Complex

In a first for Palmer Township, the supervisors have approved a conditional-use application for a business, but the actual tenants have yet to be determined.

The Norwood Company, a Malvern-based business, plans to construct a 281,473-square-foot distribution center with manufacturing at 2251 Newlins Mill Road. The supervisors, at last night's meeting, gave unanimous approval -- 5-0 -- to the conditional-use application.

The township in 2007 granted approval for Norwood to build on the land.  That plan, however, has been on the back burner since the economic downturn, according to Norwood officials.

But Norwood now has a potential buyer who has agreed to the purchase as long as there is conditional-use approval in hand.

Norwood attorney Tim Siegfried would not disclose the name of the potential buyer, but did say the proposal calls for $10 million in additional construction that would take about six months to complete.

Once the facility is constructed, Exeter Property Group of Plymouth Meeting (Montgomery County) will seek out additional tenants, Siegfried said. The hope is that with use approvals  in hand, Exeter will have an easier time attracting potential tenants.

Under the conditional-use terms, up to five businesses involved in manufacturing and distribution will be allowed as tenants. That number was based on the 199 total parking spaces allowable on the 19-plus-acre plot.

“I honestly thought that this was a better plan for the township compared to 280,000 square feet of warehouse and trucks running around,” said Supervisor David Colver.

An estimated 160 permanent jobs and 100 construction jobs are expected with the business, according to Siegfried. Plus, the township will receive $150,000 for road improvements to the area. A study conducted by Traffic Planning & Design of Saucon Valley said the building is not expected to pose any major traffic issues to the area.

Other conditional-use terms state that any tenant must first meet with township planning, zoning, fire and police officials to assure use compliance and that there is no threat or detriment to the public safety. Those departments will then make recommendations and submit them to the supervisors.

Township solicitor Charles Bruno confirmed that such a conditional-use approval is a first for the township.

During the meeting, several supervisors expressed concern over approving an application without knowing the actual type of business with which they would be dealing.

“I just want to be sure that we understand what we’re doing,” said Supervisor Robert Lammi. “Issues with explosives or public health safety can’t be answered tonight so questions remain.” Lammi's reference to "explosives" was about the type of business that could potentially move into the facility.

Lammi said with so many potential hazards depending on the business, he would much rather have a new tenant speak with township officials before moving in.

Usually, once a facility is constructed and initial certificates of occupancy are obtained, there is no need for additional use certificates. So tenants could move in and out, prompting expressions of concern from Lammi.

“I would prefer to see a potential tenant come to the township and talk to the staff because we don’t have that opportunity to do it,” he added.  “The township should have some knowledge of what’s going in there.”

“I would like to see a summary of planning review with comments -- that type of format,” said Supervisor Ann-Marie Panella. “Something so that the building department, fire, police get to look at the real thing, what’s really going in there. Giving them the opportunity to see. To be our eyes and ears,” she added.