The Emmaus Borough Council conditionally approved the preliminary and final land development plan for the Emmaus Public Library expansion project at the council meeting held Oct. 17.

Krista Pegnetter, the library’s director, said they have been working on this project for 10 years.

“We hit a couple hurdles along the way, the recession hit, the depression hit, it got worse, but also FEMA declared the property a flood plain,” Pegnetter said.

According to Pegnetter, the library was initially told it wasn’t going to be a problem, but about five years into the project, FEMA said it was in fact a problem. After receiving the news, library officials went back to the drawing board and worked with a new engineer and made sure to do everything in accordance with FEMA, the state and the borough ordinances.

Pegnetter said there were several waivers requested which had been conditionally approved by the planning commission. Now the library is waiting on state approval.

“They [state] had given kind of a verbal assurance that they really don’t see any problems along the way,” Pegnetter said.

The shade tree and art commissions both asked if they would consider applying for an additional waiver to keep the little bit of shrubbery around the outside of the parking lot, so they wouldn’t have to put in all new shrubbery. Pegnetter said they are open to the idea, but they see that as something to tackle toward the end of the project as it is not a major issue.

The site plan, done by Barry Isett and Associates, shows an additional 2,590 square feet being added to the west side of the building along with other associated site amenities. Pegnetter said they will stay with their current amount of parking spaces which is 29.

It was noted at the end of her presentation, Pegnetter’s last week as the library’s director is this week, as she took another job in a different city. Borough Manager Shane Pepe congratulated her and thanked her for all of the hard work she has put in over the years.

“That’s why I stayed, I wanted to make sure this was seen through,” Pegnetter said.

In other business, council voted on Ordinance 1147 which deals with establishing a specific parking spot for Internet exchanges.

“Just so the public is aware, we’re creating a safe zone for exchanges from Craigslist or selling products online,” Council President Brent Labenberg. “Instead of meeting at your home or at a mall somewhere, it will be in front of the police station in front of the cameras, in what we’re calling the safe zone.”

Council had to vote on whether the 15-minute parking spot should be located directly in front of the police station, or directly across from it. Chief of Police Charles Palmer suggested to council the parking spot be located directly in front of the station, simply because they would be able to get the details of a person’s face in case there was an issue. If the parking spot was located across the street, they would only be able to see the car and a basic outline of the person.

“Either location is fine, but I still would prefer the north side of the street because I don’t want it interfering with the day- to-day operation of the department,” Councilwoman Lee Ann Gilbert said.

The final vote was 5-2 in favor of placing the spot directly in front of the police station. Councilman Nathan Brown and Gilbert were both in favor of the spot being located across the street from the station.

The police departments newest K-9 Ronny received some generous donations, one of which was $1,000 from the East Penn Animal Hospital toward his check-ups. A nonprofit origination called Vested Interest in K9s Incorporated will be paying for Ronny’s vest. The vest is sponsored by the Landis Family Foundation and will be embroidered with a “gift of gratitude” from the Landis Foundation. The vest is solely fitted for him and is bullet proof and has a stab protection plate.