A conditional use hearing was held during the Board of Commissioners meeting May 2 for Lower Macungie Associates, LP to answer questions about the change for Panera Bread on Mill Creek Road.

Panara Bread was originally approved as a restaurant with criteria met for access, traffic flow and garbage disposal. It will now be classified as a fast food restaurant with additional criteria including following zoning ordinances and the comprehensive plan.

Commissioner Douglas Brown questioned improvements on lighting since the drive-thru will be behind the building which will be included in the plans. Additional traffic was discussed but not expected as patrons may use the drive-thru rather than parking and going inside.

Mill Creek Road is to be studied in the near future with the potential plans for warehouses on the Liberty and Air Products properties which are in Upper Macungie Township. With the mention of future warehouses, former Commissioner Joe Pugliese suggested careful planning as this will increase truck traffic on already heavily congested roads, particularly Interstate 78.

"There are deadly accidents along this highway regularly, so please consider the impact of these developments," Pugliese said.

Commissioner Roger Reis, a former state police officer, mentioned May 2 was the 108th anniversary of the Pennsylvania State Police. The force was the first uniformed state police force in the nation and started with 200 officers; there are now 4,400 officers. Reis said throughout state police history, of particular notice are 94 officers who laid down their lives protecting citizens.

Mike Siegel, a township resident, thanked the commissioners for the "Watch Children" sign in his development. Siegel is also requesting the speed limit be changed to 15 mph since children often play in the streets in the townhouse community.

Resident Jim Windt requested pickleball courts be installed at Rodale tennis courts which was approved. This will be a simple installation using current tennis courts. Special lines are needed and will be painted a different color.

Pickleball is played with a plastic baseball sized ball, similar to a wiffle ball, and a wooden or composite racket. It is a fast-paced game played mostly by retirees. It was actually named after a family dog, a cocker spaniel, who used to chase stray balls and then hide in the bushes.

Melanie Miller, vice president of Lower Macungie Youth Association lacrosse, requested the use of Quarry Park to show an outdoor movie. The request was granted.

Resident William Sellers wrote a letter to commissioners saying public funds should not be used for the PPL tree removal issue.

Constance Moyer, an appellant in the Spring Creek property issue, wrote a letter to the township clarifying comments made during the recent settlement of the case. Legal costs were blamed on the appellants; Moyer said this was not true in discussions with David Jaindl. Further information is available on the website www.lowermac. com (May 2 agenda details).

The township is preparing to move forward on the township's portion of Willow Lane Elementary School improvements. Authority to advertise for bids for the school zone signals, crosswalks and ramps was approved. The three major crosswalks are covered under the Automated Red Light Enforcement grant.

There will be crossing guards hired with costs to be shared by the township and school district. While it was noted there will be seven hired, more information needs to be obtained about backup plans for days off.

Approval was given to Lindsay Taylor, from the Lower Macungie Youth Association, who requested use of the township pool for the volunteers' annual recognition picnic. The fee is $500.

Joe Rubino was appointed as the newest member of the audit advisory committee.