The Lower Macungie Planning Commission held its regular meeting Nov. 9 with several important items discussed.

Ciocca Properties continues with preliminary development plan of their recently acquired Audi franchise, as well as an expansion of the existing Subaru dealership.

Ciocca Properties plans to add an additional 33,000+ square footage to the Subaru dealership, nearly doubling the size of the building. The Audi dealership is expected to encompass roughly 45,000 square feet.

Developers met with the planning commission regarding a zoning appeal for their construction and expansion projects regarding the front yard setback along Schantz Road, as well as building coverage on the Ciocca lot.

“Front yard setback” refers to the distance between a sidewalk and the nearest point of a structure. Zoning ordinance requires front yard setbacks in Lower Macungie to measure 100 feet; the preliminary Ciocca plan allots for 22 feet. Additionally, accounting for expansions and new construction, the lot coverage of the new Ciocca auto-mall would stand at 75.59 percent; zoning ordinance declares the maximum allotted lot coverage at 70 percent.

The commission also held a separate hearing regarding a conditional use permit requested by Ciocca Properties pertaining to a lease agreement within a warehouse building along Schantz Road. Ciocca plans to lease slightly over one-third of the warehouse space for use as an auto repair and detailing facility, featuring eight services bays and employing 10 people. Other lessees in the building include a mixture of office, church, manufacturing and warehouse uses.

Special criteria for conditional use regarding automobile repair facilities include provisions to minimize noise, odor, vibration and light and electrical inferences; all repair and paint work must be performed inside the building; outdoor storage of auto parts and junk are prohibited; and the mechanics must utilize approved oil separators.

The commission also heard a proposal from SDR Development, Inc. regarding an elderly and memory care facility along Lower Macungie Road. The building would be on the site of the former Lower Macungie Middle School. SDR Development would demolish the building, proposing a 68,000+ square foot single-story building in its place. Construction of the facility would require a conditional use permit as well as a land development permit.

The elderly and memory care facility would include an activities center, library, media room, dining room, salon and bistro, as well as a facility for physical and speech therapies sessions. The discussion was tabled for a future date.