The potential conversion of a former Palmerton textile manufacturing facility to a warehousing use appears to have received a favorable review.

That was the indication given by members of the borough's Planning Commission, which on Tuesday morning agreed to make a recommendation to the borough's Zoning Hearing Board to grant a special exception for the plan.Jeff Hager, owner of Hager's Furniture, Palmerton, represented Hager Holdings, LLC, 620 Fifth Street, which wants to convert the former textile manufacturing facility, OTD Manufacturing, at the corner of Fifth and Franklin, to a warehousing use.Planner Chris Anthony said he believes the proposal brought forth to the planners would be a good fit for the facility."I look at this, and the existing use is already in there," Anthony said. "What else would the property be used for."Anthony added he believes the proposal is as good of a use as any.Hager explained the former factory would be used for loading and unloading, and would have zero impact on parking.Planner Jim Christman said "the use is perfect.""It's a really good use for that facility," Christman said. "It's not going to create any parking congestion."Planner Terry Costenbader said he, too, is in favor of the proposal."The loading and unloading, I think that's minimal," Costenbader said. "I'd rather see that than see that building empty."At present, both the former textile manufacturing facility, and the requested warehousing, are nonconforming uses.Section

808.H.2 of the borough zoning ordinance deals with changing from one nonconforming use to another by requiring special exception action of the zoners.The zoners are scheduled to meet at 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 28, at which time a decision could be rendered on the request.