The first project discussed at the Nov. 8 Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting was 7624 Mountain Road Schenkel subdivision. The property would include two new residential lots. There was a discussion about reforestation credits.

Planning Director Nathan Jones talked about the importance of maintaining the rural character of the area. He said the area has a lot of scenic and preservation value.

The property was represented by Engineer Bud Newton of Newton Engineering and the property owner Herbert Schenkel. Newton said the plan was to preserve a good portion of the property, but Schenkel was hoping to not dedicate the right of way on the property to the township.

There was a discussion about waiving the road widening and sidewalk or curbing requirements.

The second project discussed was a mixed use development from Prachi Reality Company. The property would be located at 801 N. Broad St., neighboring Hamilton Crossings. This property would include two office buildings and seven apartments. Two of the apartments would be on the first floor and the other five would be on the second floor.

There was a discussion about buffering on the property and connectivity with Hamilton Crossings. Jones mentioned access to and from this property should be taken from Broad Street rather than Hamilton Boulevard.

The property was represented by Newton along with Erich Schock from Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba. The planning commission had concerns about overutilization of the site. A suggestion was made to cut down on parking and the number of apartment units.

Schock said he had been unable to come to an agreement with Hamilton Crossings and asked the township to get involved. The planning commission said they shared their opinions with Hamilton Crossings but would not force the subject.

The third project discussed was Lehigh Valley Town Center, located at 8511 Cedarbrook Road. The property would be on the old Eastern Industries land. The property would be a town center style mixed use development.

The applicant asked for zoning assistance to allow for mixed use in the highway enterprise zone. The property would include an outdoor recreational tenant, a retail grocery store and convenience store, an anchor retail store along with a large number of apartments. The property would also include a hotel.

There would be 150 square feet of retail space on the property. The applicant has brought in Top Golf as the property’s outdoor recreation area. The property was represented by Schock as well as John McRoberts from The Pidcock Company.

McRoberts said the property would provide a convenience to its residents and a built-in customer base to its commercial businesses.

The planning commission asked for some computer generated images to get a better idea of what some of the aspects of the project would look like.

The final project discussed was a mixed use development at 617 N. Krocks Road. The property would include 372 apartments in addition to a hotel as an anchor use and some retail and dining. There was a discussion about ease of access within the property.

The property would have a boulevard style roadway encircle the property. There was a discussion about the traffic issue on the property. A concern was raised regarding the PPL easement the goes through the center of the property.

The project was represented by Engineer Dennis Keenan from French and Parrello Associates. Keenan said the property has access to water and sanitary sewer. There was a discussion about having the clubhouse, pool and dog park in a central location on the property.

There would be walking trails and sidewalks throughout the property. Keenan said 45% of the apartments would be one bedroom and another 45% would be two bedroom apartments, while 10% would be three bedroom apartments.

There was a discussion about emergency access from the turnpike and some buffering by the neighboring cemetery. The property has over 370 apartments but the zone ordinance only allows for 320 units. The planning commission had some concerns about the number of units on the property.

The planning commission said the access to the turnpike might not be necessary without the 55 northern apartments on the property. They asked Keenan to revise the plan so it complies with the ordinance.

Township Commissioner Maury Robert said no more than 25 dwelling units can be built off a cul-de-sac. He said it would be beneficial to have a second connection to the loop road.

Resident Mike Siegel was looking for a longer deceleration lane for the entrance to the site. Siegel wanted a right turn lane on North Krocks Road to turn onto the property. He also talked about buffering along Route 222. The project was tabled until the next meeting.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting will be Dec. 13. 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. There will be no workshop in November or December.

Both regular and workshop meetings will begin 6 p.m. until the end of 2022. Currently all planning commission meetings will be held both in person and over Zoom with a video recording uploaded to the township’s YouTube channel after the fact.