Macungie Borough Council approved a land development plan for 52 Race St. but with a number of conditions after discrepancies on the plan were pointed out by a neighbor.

Bill Reese, of BDi Machinery Sales, Inc., 52 Race St., submitted plans to the borough and the planning commission to construct a small office building on his current property.

At first, council began by considering a motion to approve the land development plan contingent upon Reese following through with all the usual requirements and obligations associated with land development.

But when neighboring business owner Tim Romig, of Automotive Service Solutions, addressed council he noted several items on the plan as inaccurate, or missing altogether.

Romig took council member Roseann Schleicher along with him to the site and she confirmed certain lighting fixtures on the property were not shown on the engineer’s approved plan and others shown on the plan were described incorrectly based on their present position and direction.

A section of gravel on the property was not accurately plotted on the plan, which Romig attested did not show recent changes to that section of the site.

Romig also protested the plan’s design for incoming traffic to the new office would allow drivers to cross over the property line and drive on his property.

Reese’s property is reached by an access easement of indeterminate width directly through Romig’s property, which has been a subject of contention and court battles for years. Romig suggested if council refused to impose conditions of approval on the plan it would inevitably invite people to trespass on his property.

Council’s solicitor Patrick Armstrong informed Romig his points did not justify council denying the plan as it stood, but council could consider waiting until the issues had been addressed by the borough engineer.

After some discussion with Romig, council agreed the borough engineer should look into the plan, specifically the lighting and gravel and also the delineation of parking spaces which Romig pointed out were not clear on the plan. Council’s approval of the plan is contingent upon Reese and the engineer addressing any inaccuracies discovered upon investigation.

Among other items on council’s agenda for new business was the appointment of a borough zoning officer. Council held an executive session on personnel but there was no conclusive action as a result. At present the borough manager continues as acting zoning officer in the absence of one appointed.

Sidewalk waiver requests on the agenda were not discussed after the residents of several properties on Fairview Street were told to appear before the planning commission, as council could not take action on their appeals.

Tom Kociuba, of South Fairview St., spoke emphatically to council about initiating a stormwater study this year and addressing the street’s lack of a storm sewer, which was the cause of repeated damage and deterioration to the curb and sidewalk.

Councilman John Yerman agreed the sitting council at the time should have required a storm system to be installed when the street was developed, but taking it on now would mean raising taxes in the borough to spread the cost, which is not in the borough’s budget for this year.

Council president Chris Becker said there is no date yet on repaving Fairview Street but the topic of a stormwater study will be brought up at the Oct. 14 meeting.