The Jan. 13 Lower Macungie Planning Commission meeting began with reorganization.

There was a new planning commissioner, Jennifer Mack. Ryan Kennedy was elected as the chairman, while Ozias Moore was elected vice chairman and Jessica Rosenbrook was elected secretary.

The meeting included two items, NP Land Holdings land development plan and a staff report on planned 2026 ordinance updates. There were two other items removed from the agenda by the applicants, Iron Run Estates Subdivision and Costco Fuel Expansion facility.

The Iron Run Estates Subdivision would be located at 7360 Church Lane, while the Costco Fuel Expansion Facility would be in the Hamilton Crossings shopping center at 791 North Krocks Road.

The first project discussed was NP Land Holdings. The property is located at 7428 Industrial Park Way. The property consists of two existing parcels in a previously approved and constructed industrial park.

There was a discussion about the stormwater basins on the property. The applicant plans to modify the three existing basins on the property. The two basins along Industrial Park Road are being converted from sediment basins to permanent riser structures.

The third basin will be expanded slightly and will be the main source of runoff collection from the new impervious surface.

The applicant had four waiver requests. The requests involved separate preliminary and final plans, basin slope ratios, the requirement of street trees every 50 feet on Industrial Park Road and reinforced concrete storm pipes versus high-density polyethylene pipes.

Township Planner Nathan Jones spoke about how the pedestrian accessibility issue has been resolved and added the outdoor rest area on the property will be covered.

At this time, the applicant does not have a tenant. Overall, the project will be compliant with the township’s requirements. The motion to recommend approval passed 5-0.

Another item discussed was a staff report on the 2026 planned ordinance update. There was a discussion about possibly updating the ordinance language pertaining to data centers.

The planning commission said they will have an updated official map. The planned ordinance update will be discussed at the February meeting.

At the end of the meeting, it was mentioned Wesley Barrett will be leaving the planning commission as he has been elected to the Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting will be Feb. 10. 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 January.

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.