Montgomery County · Franconia · MCPC #26-0012-001
Harry M. & Mary Ann Shoemaker
302 Leidy Road, Franconia, PA · 11,280 sq ft non-residential, industrial · 26.47 acres
About this project
A new industrial building with parking and a driveway will be constructed on approximately 6.35 acres of the 26.47-acre property at 302 Leidy Road for Virnelson Diesel Services operations.
County planning commission: Supports, with comments
Issues raised: Landscaping plan and parking lot landscaping not provided despite county recommendation, Street trees not shown on plan, Building sited 400 feet from existing structure, increasing driveway and impervious coverage
- Applicant
- Virnelson Diesel Services
- Engineer / rep.
- Cowan Associates, Inc.
- Zoning
- LI
- Approvals needed
- landscaping plan waiver, parking lot landscaping waiver
Filing history
- 2026-01-15 · MCPC #26-0012-001 · Land Dev Plan, Prelim Plan · 11,280 sq ft
County review letters
2026-01-15 · FRANC 26-0012-001r.pdf
The full picture AI research · Nov 1, 2026
A new industrial building, with parking and a driveway, is proposed at 302 Leidy Road in Franconia Township. It would hold 11,280 square feet of non-residential space. It would be used by Virnelson Diesel Services, which the county record ties to diesel operations.
The building would sit on about 6.35 acres of a 26.47-acre property. That leaves most of the land outside the construction area. The county record doesn't say what is on the site today.
The township's planning commission agendas list a 302 Leidy Road land development and sketch plan in 2024. They also list a request for use and parking variances that year. A May 2026 agenda lists a "Shoemaker – Virnelson Land Development". The agenda text could not be read in full, so outcomes and details are unconfirmed. No news coverage or developer project page was found.
What it could mean nearby
- Truck and employee trips would use Leidy Road. The records give no traffic study or numbers.
- Part of a 26.47-acre property would be built on, which could reduce open land. The rest is not described as changing.
- No new homes or school effects are indicated, because the use is industrial.
- Jobs and utility needs are not stated in the records found.
Where it stands
The county filing is dated January 2026, and the township planning commission was still listing the land development on a May 2026 agenda. Next steps usually include township review, planning commission and supervisor action on the plan, then final approval and building permits.
- May 2026 Franconia planning commission agenda lists the Shoemaker – Virnelson land development
- Jan 15, 2026 Latest county planning filing
- Oct 2024 Zoning hearing board agenda lists use and parking variances for 302 Leidy Road
- Aug 2024 Planning commission considers a 302 Leidy Road sketch plan
- Jul 2024 Planning commission agenda lists a 302 Leidy Road land development
Want to weigh in? Franconia Township's planning commission and board of supervisors review land developments in public meetings, where residents can comment. Agendas are posted on the township website.
Who's behind it
Virnelson Diesel Services
Around the web
- Planning Commission Agenda, May 4, 2026Franconia Township · May 4, 2026Lists a Shoemaker – Virnelson land development as a planning commission item.
- Planning Commission Agenda, October 7, 2024Franconia Township · Oct 7, 2024Lists use and parking variances for 302 Leidy Road before the zoning hearing board.
- Planning Commission Minutes, August 5, 2024Franconia Township · Aug 5, 2024Records a 302 Leidy Road sketch plan discussion.
- Planning Commission Agenda, July 1, 2024Franconia Township · Jul 1, 2024Lists a 302 Leidy Road land development.
Planning terms explained
- Land development
- A formal township review of a proposed building, parking and site layout on a property.
- Sketch plan
- An early, informal drawing shown to the township for feedback before a full application.
- Variance
- Permission from the zoning hearing board to depart from a zoning rule, such as one on use or parking.
- Zoning hearing board
- A local panel that decides on variances and other exceptions to zoning rules.
Researched by AI from public sources on Nov 1, 2026. It can make mistakes, so check the linked sources and the municipality before relying on it.
Scope estimate for contractors
Estimated construction value: $1.5M
- ~112 roofing squares (assumes 1 story)
- ~28 tons of cooling (rule of thumb 400 sq ft/ton)
- ~6.3 acres of site work (grading, stormwater, landscaping)
- Industrial building for diesel services
- New access driveway and parking area
- Landscaping and street tree improvements recommended