The Aug. 7 workshop meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission began with a discussion of accessory dwelling units.

The planning commission was looking for consistency and wanted to have a clear definition of accessory dwelling units. It was questioned if they wanted accessory dwelling units to be used as rental units, such as Airbnbs.

There were questions about what is allowed in an accessory dwelling. The planning commission also questioned if accessory dwelling units are a conditional use, a special exception use or an accessory use.

Another item discussed during the meeting was maximum impervious coverage. The planning commission talked about setting a 30 percent impervious coverage for places of worship and some questioned if that would be adequate. There was a question about if group care or nursing homes should have the same amount of impervious coverage.

There was also a discussion about buffers and screens and where they should be required. It was clarified buffers and screens could be crossed by a road or driveway.

The planning commission talked about requiring a screen by the dock doors of industrial buildings. There was also a discussion about having three different kinds of buffers, some of which would be larger than what is currently used.

A suggestion was made to design the buffer screens differently when they are next to utility lines. The planning commission also wanted to adjust buffer yards near utility lines and have any overhead utility lines recorded on development plans. It was questioned if there is an easement running with the land for overhead utility lines.

There was a discussion about vegetation in buffers. It was decided shrubs may not be within 10 feet of overhead utility lines. Also discussed was the variety of trees which should be used in buffer yards. Trees bearing fruit for the surrounding wildlife were suggested.

The planning commission talked about the responsibility of property owners to replace a tree on their property if it dies or is cut down. There was a discussion about creating a list of preferred trees and shrubs for the riparian buffers.

Fences and other accessory structures were a topic of discussion during the meeting. The planning commission wanted a difference made between residential and commercial fences. It was questioned if accessory uses, such as fences, should be allowed in all districts. Accessory uses would also include patios and decks.

At the end of the meeting, the planning commissioners used Google images street views to look at different designs for frontages and discussed the positives and negatives. The commissioners focused on frontage landscaping and eliminating overhead utility lines.

There will be a Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission workshop meeting Aug. 21. Meetings take place 7 p.m. and are in the township municipal building, 3400 Brookside Road.