The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission met Feb. 27 to make up for a Feb. 12 meeting postponed due to snow. The meeting focused on general regulations and mixed uses in the township’s zoning ordinance.

The planning commission discussed outdoor recreation activities on farmland. The purpose of these accessory uses is to help farmers hold on to their property and keep it profitable. There was a discussion about setbacks. It was decided the agricultural entertainment uses need to be 50 feet from the property line if the property abuts a residential property.

The harvesting of crops and pick your own crops would be allowed within 50 feet of the property line.

Fences for nonresidential accessory uses were also discussed during the meeting. The planning commission wants to change the wording from existing right of way to the ultimate right of way.

A decision was made to not change Airbnb ordinances until there are more court decisions involving them in Pennsylvania.

Vice Commission Chairman Maury Robert argued a winery should have a good sized vineyard connected with it. There was also a conversation about craft breweries. They are capped at 50,000 square feet. The properties include space for public service, food preparation and production.

Drive-thrus were discussed during the meeting. The planning commission wants to avoid stacking lanes in order to be more accessible to pedestrians. They talked about adding a drawing to show what the township finds acceptable.

The planning commission discussed the temporary use permit. The commission wants to prevent applicants from getting a temporary use permit and continuing to extend the permit over long periods of time. It was decided to set the temporary use permit at a length of one year with no opportunity for extensions.

There was a discussion about heliports. There are a number of restrictions regarding the amount of noise and the hours of operation. The planning commission decided they are happy with the regulations as they are.

The planning commission talked about fuel dispensing stations. Requiring a generator for the gas pumps and making sure it is owned and operated by the same people who own the convenience store on the property were discussed. The generators are important so the gas pumps remain in operation during a power outage.

It was decided all veterinarian hospitals will be a conditional use. There was a discussion about adding a medical marijuana dispensary in the commercial zone.

Recreational uses in the urban zone were discussed. Some of the options in this use could be a community center, YMCA or health club. There was a discussion about the minimum lot size. This makes the use ideal for the urban zone.

It was argued that intermixing residential uses with light commercial uses such as recreational uses is good for the township. The commission thought the impact on the public does not change whether the recreation facility is for profit or not.

Robert raised issues regarding the flood plain and stormwater ordinance. It was explained the ordinance is very procedural. He felt there should be regulation of pipes carrying stormwater. There was debate about variances and structures allowed in the flood plains. It was agreed the flood plain should be reviewed.

Usually the planning commission meets the second Tuesday of every month and occasionally there is a workshop meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings take place 7 p.m. in the township municipal building.

On March 14, there will be a general goodwill outreach meeting 5:30 p.m. where neighbors affected by the changed zoning ordinance can learn about changes to the ordinance. At 7 p.m., there will be a meeting open to the public where the planning commission will discuss any issues raised in the earlier meeting.