The June 10 meeting of the Lower Macungie Planning Commission involved four projects; Western Lehigh Services, Krocks Road Mixed Use, Red Maple Acres Mobile Home Park and Act 537 Plan.

There was a fifth project, Schwab Subdivision, which was removed from the agenda at the applicant’s request. Former Planning Director Nathan Jones attended the meeting virtually via Zoom and is holding the role of township planner.

The first project discussed was Western Lehigh Services located at 1500 Trexlertown Road. The project had previously received approval from the planning commission and Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners.

There was an appeal made on some of the conditions imposed by the board of commissioners which then went to Lehigh County Court. The court order is being used to create the current land development plan.

The property would include the office headquarters for Western Lehigh Services as well as their garage, tool storage area and salt shed. The plan shows buffers along the boundary with the mobile home community to the North East and along Trexlertown Road.

There was discussion about impervious coverage and maneuverability on the property. There was also a discussion about the stormwater system on the property. Conditional approval passed.

The second project discussed was North Krocks Road Mixed Use. The property is located at 617 N. Krocks Road across the bypass from Hamilton Crossings.

The property would consist of 318 apartments, a pool, dog run and a generous trail system. There would also be a 160-room hotel. In addition there would be just under 20,000 square feet of commercial retail space.

There was talk about avoiding the PPL easement when planning the landscaping on the property. Emergency access to the property was also discussed. There was a discussion about connectivity and walkability on the property.

Attorney Andrew Hoffman, of Gross McGinley LLP, represented Hamilton Crossings. Hoffman had concerns about the protection of the existing Hamilton Crossings easements.

Attorney Blake Marles, of Stevens Lee, was present representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown. Marles wanted to ensure Resurrection Cemetery could be fully developed. There was talk about adding an additional mausoleum.

A motion to recommend conditional approval passed unanimously.

The third project discussed was Red Maple Acres Mobile Home Park conditional use. The property is located at 1170 Grange Road. The plan includes 36 units. There would be naturalized stormwater management.

There was a discussion about connectivity within the development as well as along Grange Road. There was also a discussion about having addresses for the entirety of the community.

The property will have generous landscaping and infiltration stormwater basins. The township engineer mentioned a traffic impact study would be necessary for a project with over 25 dwelling units. A motion to recommend conditional approval passed unanimously.

The final item discussed was the Act 537 Plan. The plan involves improvements to the sewer system.

The planning commission noted Lower Macungie is in good shape when it comes to sewer issues. They questioned if Lower Macungie has to pay more because of other townships not in as good shape.

A motion to respond to the Act 537 Plan saying the planning commission has no comment was approved.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting will be July 8. 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 June.

Meetings begin 6 p.m. and currently all planning commission meetings are held both in person and over Zoom with a video recording uploaded to the township’s YouTube channel after the fact.