A 156,000-square-foot warehouse at 4741 Chapmans Road, approved by South Whitehall commissioners in May, was scaled down to 102,000 square feet and approved during their Oct. 16 meeting.

Michael Gamzon, CEO and president of Griffin Industrial Realty Inc., commented on the changed plans for the flex warehouse on the 13.6-acre property.

“Why are we back? Because of Department of Environmental Protection relocation of the drainage swale,” Gamzon said.

He noted the new proposal includes a building two-thirds the size of the original which has been reoriented with a grading change and a second driveway.

The company agreed to install sidewalks, which were deferred in the earlier proposal, during construction.

Kevin Horvath, civil engineer for the developer, said Griffin will make the connection to the township system for every existing occupied structure along the municipal water and sewer lines, if the property owners want it.

If the residents choose not to hookup and prefer to use their existing wells and septic systems, they will still have to pay a fee to South Whitehall.

If they do connect, Griffin will pay the installation fees, but property owners will then receive regular water and sewer bills.

Commissioner Glenn Block said the company is looking at 24/7 hours of operation for the facility.

“I’m concerned about the residents who live across the street,” Block said. “I would feel more comfortable if something is in writing or that they realize or approve the 24/7.”

Gamzon agreed to a letter but not to asking residents for 24/7 approval.

He said buffers will be in place and trees will be planted along the entire frontage except for the driveways.

“This is a fairly conventional building,” Gamzon said. “The tenant for this site has not been identified.”

Scott Pasterski, traffic specialist for Griffin, said the building and its setting were designed to mitigate traffic.

The plan proposes two driveway connections to Chapmans Road.

Truck access is to be restricted to the northern driveway.