Upper Milford Towship supervisors at their Feb. 4 meeting reviewed the latest version of the plans for the Fields at Indian Creek, the 200-plus unit 55 and over development proposed at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Cedar Crest Boulevard.

The proposal by Kay Builders, first aired almost four years ago, is on 78 acres and spreads over three municipalities; Upper Milford Township, Emmaus and Lower Macungie Township.

According to supervisors, Kay Builders is already taking reservations for homes in the development and groundbreaking was scheduled for this week.

The first proposed change would move an emergency access road so it now would come onto Chestnut Street, near the township border with Emmaus. Supervisors agreed this is preferable to the original access, a bridge over Leibert Creek from Green Drive which would have cost the developer approximately $200,000 to build.

Meanwhile, Richard Koze of Kay Builders was able to obtain an easement from Art Schmidt Jr. to access Chestnut Street directly.

Township Manager Daniel DeLong pointed out last week’s meeting was too soon for supervisors to formally approve any aspects of the plan, but they could indicate their preferences.

They also discussed the developer’s intention to have the open space on the development owned and maintained by the homeowners association for the development, not the Wildlands Conservancy.

DeLong said the Conservancy was not interested in being responsible for the open space, and supervisors had already agreed they would not want the township to assume responsibility, so putting it in the hands of the homeowners association is the only alternative.

They were obviously not happy about this option, but supervisors Chairman George DeVault said, “We have no choice.”

However, they did criticize some of the details of the developer’s plans for recreational space. Proposed is a five-foot wide pedestrian path through the development which would connect with a walking path in Lower Macungie Township. Also proposed is prohibiting bicycles on the path.

Supervisors said they would like to see a six-foot wide path permitting bicycles, so it would match the path in Lower Macungie Township.

“Part of the idea,” supervisor Robert Sentner said “was to connect the path in Lower Macungie to [Emmaus] Community Park.”

In other action last week, supervisors met briefly with members of the recreation commission to discuss how to improve communications between the two boards.

Commission Chairman Philip Vanim said the commission provides copies of its minutes and some of its letters to supervisors and also does a parks tour twice a year to review what needs to be done and what they would like to do.

“We don’t usually get feedback [from supervisors],” he said. He said they would like information prior to the annual budget process on what resources are available for parks and recreation so they have some direction on what to budget for.

Sentner, in turn, asked the commission for a list of their short-term attainable goals. He also suggested someone from township staff and at least one supervisor accompany the commission on parks tours.

Sentner further asked the commission to go through the long-term recreation plan and prioritize its needs and asked for their response to the idea of a referendum on preserving open space.

Vanim said they need input from the Upper Milford Youth Association before coming up with a list of priorities.

DeVault said, “I’m delighted to see this conversation” and said both boards need to “start looking into the future” in planning for recreational and open space priorities.

In other business, Sentner announced the township’s two fire companies have applied for a grant of $187,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to purchase much needed equipment.