The Hills at Lock Ridge West subdivision with plans for 86 new homes and a commercial lot has been in planning since 2005. It was approved by council in 2008 and is currently underway with plans for two model homes to be built and ready this fall.

At the Alburtis Borough Council meeting Aug. 14, Borough Engineer Dave Kettemer of Keystone Engineering, requested council approve a change to the pipes in the homes from reinforced concrete to polyethylene pipes for the storm sewers, as it is easier to work with, is water tight, easy to use and the cost is the same. Council approved the change as long as it adheres to specifications and will pass inspection.

Solicitor David Knerr spoke with council about another requested change by Tettemer on frontage requirements on eight corner lots from 25 feet to 15 feet, and recommended granting their request. Zoning Officer David Kutzor did not like the idea of doing this on commercial lots.

Following a discussion, council passed a motion approving Resolution 2013-2 to change six of the corner lots, #10, #11, #28, #29, #85, #86, but excluding lots #1 and #84 as they are to be kept as originally planned. Executive Secretary Sharon Trexler advised council she received a phone call from Director of Planning and Community Development Sarah Pandl, of Lower Macungie Township asking if the borough had a problem with the park. Councilperson Cathy Moyer and David Kutzor had concerns the borough would be losing taxes. President Steve Hill asked Trexler to research the amount of taxes currently on the property for the next council meeting.

In other business, Maintenance Supervisor Donnie Derr and Mayor Kathleen Palmer inspected the trees on Maple Court because they look diseased. Palmer suggested, and council agreed to call the county and ask the forester for the borough to come and inspect the trees. Ninety percent of basement inspections have been done and they must be finished when giving council a SCARP update, Trexler said.

Councilperson David Lehr, discussed his concerns with abandoned cars in the borough and was advised by Knerr nothing can be done as long as they are registered.

Boy Scouts, Joey Lettera, Brandan Najera, Jonathan Swavely, Garrett Quinn, William Papp, Frank Kish, Logan Blammer and Zach Fay with Assistant Scout Masters Les Bower and Dan Quinn from Alburtis Troop 86 attended and stayed for the entire meeting. The boys, who took notes while they listened and asked questions, were there to earn their Citizenship and Community Merit Scout badges. The boys led everyone in The Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting and asked council questions which were all answered, near the end of the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. and council went into an executive session to discuss legal issues with a snake stuck in a sewage line at 104 Front St. in the borough.