Dorney Park Gets Go-ahead for More Parking

South Whitehall commissioners approved a development waiver Wednesday that will allow to build another parking lot.

Attorney Joseph Bubba, representing Dorney Park, told commissioners the parking lot will only be needed about 15 times a year. In addition, he said, “This plan does not add an inch of impervious surface” because the parking lot will be covered with “grass-pervious pavers.”

The parking lot will be located on nearly 7 acres that . The land is next to the park, at the southwest intersection of Hillview and Dorney Park roads near Interstate 78 and Route 222.

At one time, the land was designated as the site of a Korean War Memorial, but that never came to fruition.

Last year, Dorney requested that to commercial recreation from medium- and high-density residential. However, after the meeting Wednesday, township Manager Jon Hammer said zoning officials subsequently determined that a zoning change was not necessary.

Prior to the vote, Bubba told commissioners he didn’t think a waiver was necessary for the parking lot.

 “An overflow parking area is a permitted accessory use, so I don’t think we need any type of zoning relief,” Bubba said. “The request for a waiver is a misnomer.”

However, township solicitor Chris McLean preferred to see the commissioners grant a waiver. Consequently, Commissioner Thomas Johns made a motion and the board voted unanimously to grant it.