The June 11 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission involved five development projects. Two applications, Indian Creek Village and Mountain View Estates, were removed from the agenda at the applicant’s request.

The first applicant was Elk Investments. The property is five acres in the highway industrial zone. The planning commission was pleased the buildings are to the front of the property and the parking is in the side and rear in the plan.

A lot of the outdoor storage area on the property is pervious material. There was a discussion about adding a walkway along the front of the property. The planning commission talked about naturalizing the storm basin.

The property also had parking spaces for fuel trucks. Since the company could only sell outdoor furniture during the spring and summer months, they began selling fuel during the fall and winter months.

There was discussion about a special exception for having multiple uses on the same property. The planning commission agreed to send a favorable recommendation to the zoning hearing board.

Another project discussed was a truck staging and storage area submitted by Depot Properties located at Orchard and Alburtis roads. The project was represented by Attorney Christopher McLean of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba. There was a lot of discussion about buffering, circulation and the flood plains encroached on the property. The planning commission applauded Depot Properties for working with the community.

There was a discussion about having a riparian buffer along the parking lot. The buffer between the development and the new neighbor’s property would be three layers thick. The planning commission said Depot Properties did a good job with the landscaping.

The planning commission approved the final plan and partially approved the Depot Properties waivers.

The next project discussed was ABE Doors redevelopment, also represented by McLean as well as owner Andrea Keeny. The planning commission praised Keeny for preserving the existing sycamore trees on the property. They wanted to make sure the property has substantial buffering.

The planning commission questioned if there was enough area in the parking lot for cars to turn around.

Asphalt Maintenance Solutions, located at 4511 Ceaderbrook Road, Allentown, was another project discussed during the meeting. The project was represented by Catherine Durso of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba. The planning commission asked about the emergency access on the property. In addition, they are still waiting to see the buffering or lighting plan.

Durso said there would be no outdoor storage of equipment in the area. The equipment would be stored in a closed building in the rear of the property. There was discussion of the naturalization of the stormwater management. The property would have a 50-foot easement through the center for access.

Durso said she was trying to get a separate access for customers and the company’s equipment. There was also a discussion about buffering along the bypass. The planning commission questioned if the property would be fenced or gated. Durso explained the offices in the front of the property would not be fenced in, but the rear of the property would be fenced in.

The planning commission was concerned about the company’s hours of operation and the possibility of noise pollution since the property is next to a hotel. There was a discussion about having an access road in the back of the property for trucks. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval of the conditional use plan.

The final project discussed during the meeting was located at 3500 Brookside Road and represented by Bud Newton of Newton Engineering. The planning commission was pleased that the buildings would be in the front of the property and the parking and stormwater management in the rear.

There was talk about having a walking path and buffer along the edge of the property. Newton explained the property would be serviced by a private road. There was a discussion about giving up some of the flood plain area to the township as an easement. The planning commission suggested adding an emergency access road off Brookside Road. The sketch plan was approved unanimously.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting will be July 9. 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. and are in the township municipal building.