At the March 10 Lower Macungie Township planning commission meeting, a fast turnaround sandwich shop, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, was approved for the West Valley Marketplace which is across from Walmart on Mill Creek Road.

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches does not have deep fryers and offers quick delivery service of cold sandwiches. It is the second location in the Lehigh Valley but the first for this owner with a plan for 13 employees.

Parking spaces at the business are five short of the required amount needed. According to the township codes, there are less than allowed parking spots at this shopping center but due to the nature of this sandwich shop plus neighboring businesses having more than necessary parking, it was approved.

The proposal will be sent to the Board of Commissioners suggesting approval. If parking becomes an issue, pedestrian crossings will be considered so employees can park across the street in the Walmart lot.

The Penn Sheet Metal expansion was discussed and approved. This property is located along Schantz Road off Hamilton Boulevard. There will be a drainage pipe along the property line on Schantz Road. To be included in the approval is a conditional easement for a walkway and bike path. The Lehigh County Planning Commission approved this.

There is a lot by Firestone by the West Valley Marketplace to be used for a detention pond. There is to be a 10-foot planted buffer and 15-foot graded easement to allow for maintenance of the area. Adjoining this lot is another lot with a proposed medical office building. The detention pond lot was approved by the planning commission.

The property along Mill Creek Road across from Walgreens and Panera Bread was discussed. There are eight parcels of land proposed to consolidate to four parcels. There are some proposed roads using Cetronia Road to alleviate traffic congestion on Mill Creek Road and traffic signals are to be coordinated. The planning commission will write a letter to the board of commissioners to approve the lot development. This is a shared project with Upper Macungie Township.

An introductory proposal for a one million square foot warehouse on the Spring Creek Properties was presented. It includes a pond and habitat isolation area for the spadefoot toad as well as other wildlife.

There were concerns by the fire department about the height of the facility. This project was tabled.