David Jaindl, owner of Jaindl Land Development, attended the Board of Commissioners meeting Jan. 17 to introduce a new plan for the Spring Creek Properties.

Attorney Joseph Zator addressed "the battle that has been going on for two years. This has gotten personal. Through it all, the Board of Commissioners has maintained their decorum."

Zator continued to say the battle has been taken to social media with a "lack of respect for judges on the Commonwealth Court." Zator said "anyone acting indecent should be ignored."

Jaindl's new plan calls for a reduction in warehousing from 443,000 square feet to 71,000 square feet which is before the Planning Commission. A change involving the Sauerkraut Lane extension is to privatize the new portion.

The recreation area was moved to the vicinity of Quarry and Creamery Parks. Since the railroad runs through parts of the land, development will include use of the railroad. "In fact, we will encourage use of the rail," Jaindl said.

Jaindl said, "We are listening. We have spoken to residents about their concerns. The community's opinion has made an impact."

Another issue will be a reduction of housing units in the residential area by about half with a portion planned as an "active 55 development." This will alleviate further strain on the East Penn School District.

Commissioner Ryan Conrad said "there is some serious polarization of the community. Nobody's happy to see the loss of farmland. But this is on the right track."

The appellants have appealed the Commonwealth Court's decision.

Jaindl said he cannot make the new plan happen with continued conflict and has asked the appellants to drop their court case.

In other business, residents complained about fast speeds on Willow Lane and Fritch Drive. They were told the speed box has a waiting list and all speeding issues will be forwarded to the Public Safety committee.

Michael Hunter spoke about "sign litter." These are the little signs businesses use for advertising.

The Church Lane bridge has been further inspected, the report was submitted and the bridge will remain closed until repairs have been completed. The chances of rebuilding the bridge are not good as rebuilding will require extensive planning since there is a graveyard on the one side. The bridge is also somewhat unusually designed to allow for the double decker train cars to go underneath it. There is a concern about the apparent rapid deteriorations of the bridge. The bidding process has begun.

Mary Ziegler from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection has awarded Lower Macungie Township with $55,614 for 4,196 tons of recyclables.

The status of the walking plan for Willow Lane Elementary has become a mutual effort between the township and the school district. It has been determined that both groups must work together to make this happen. Crossing guards, bus/car traffic improvements, installation of school speed lights and upgrading crosswalks with possible LED lights are among the improvements that must be completed.

Water shut-off notices were posted with 204 additional properties. Eleven of those are already turned off. Forty-seven property owners have made payment arrangements.

Service Electric has renewed their contract with the township. In the near future, RCN will do the same. Rates have gone up slightly and there will be a senior citizen discount. The township gets a portion of the contract fees amounting to about $400,000.

Brian Joyce was named the conflict solicitor. He has a long history with the township and will handle any matter in which Solicitor Richard Somach may have a conflict.