A resident voiced a concern about the safety of Cotton Street at the Oct. 17 Macungie Borough Council meeting. He recommended there be a change in the one way right hand turn onto Route 100 as it can prove dangerous at times because of low visibility. He paced off the intersection to about 200 feet of visibility, less than four seconds by his measure; the traffic light helps, but he claims it will not help when there is a train, as the car will have no place to go and cannot get out of the way of cars that would like to go straight. He did praise the borough for its new sidewalks, saying he sees more people walking than ever before.

President Chris Becker explained Cotton Street was done first as the price would have increased for the materials used. When installed, the light will make it a 3-way intersection and the geometry of the intersection is planned to be changed for better visibility.

Stone Hill Meadows presented a sketch plan for a proposed development in Macungie Township. Stone Hills asked for guidance from council with respect to the layout and type of residential development that would suit the township best. The two plans presented varied in both open space and type of home.

The first plan proposed 53 townhomes, two and a half acres of open space and a section of .68 acres accessible to the general public for trails, running etc. The second plan would be about 40 single family homes, but would not have enough open space to meet regulation.

Stone Hill Meadows offered to make a donation to the township in lieu of the requirement. Stormwater for the development would feed from phase three to the phase two side in Macungie Township. Becker explained he and council prefer the single home plan, but would like to see more open space in the plan and recommended they include an adequate amount of open space in the next draft.

The single family home plan is fire approved; roads will be constructed to borough standards, 34 feet wide. As presented, cars will be able to exit through Lower Macungie Way.

Traffic studies were done, for the development, at Cedar and Main streets, Race and Main streets and three other intersections.

The three to four bedroom 2,400 square foot homes would cost between $350,000 and $450,000 per home. The homes would be zoned R78, meaning certain home-based businesses would be permitted.

Minutes were motioned by Alma Akinjiola, seconded by Roseann Schleicher and approved by unanimous vote. Bills were motioned for payment by Schleicher, seconded by Akinjiola and accepted by unanimous vote.

Borough Manager Chris Boehm reported events at the Macungie Institute have been running very well; six events where alcohol had been served were successful and without incident.

Solicitor Patrick Armstrong reported a draft of the ordinance increasing the fee for tax certifications to $20 from $15 is ready for public advertisement. A motion to approve the draft for a public viewing and hearing was granted by Schleicher and Akinjiola and adopted by unanimous vote.

Boehm also had good news; Macungie has been approved for the Keep PA Beautiful grant which provides $1,000 for the plantings in bump outs in the Main Streetscape plan.

Macungie’s stormwater management permit expires in 2019; the next plan submittal is scheduled to be 45 days before October, 2018. Swabia and Lehigh are sewer pollution controlled; 10 percent of solid waste sediment is required to be removed under DEP regulation. Lehigh County has not yet contacted Boehm or Becker for their responses when asked for help with funding on the project.

The Macungie Police Department will get an addition to their facility to place holding cells on ground level instead of using the present ones in the basement. The present vehicle holding area would become the new holding cells and a secure vehicle holding area would be constructed. The addition is on a separate deed. Armstrong recommended a lot line adjustment be done to place the addition on the same deed.

Two trees which were demolished for the work on Cotton Street are to be replaced. The trees, a maple and wheeping cherry, would cost $2,900 installed as replacement for the removed fully grown trees. Boehm noted a weeping cherry at the proposed location could cause a visibility problem; Becker reminded everyone the cherry tree may not be the best choice as 9 foot of clearance must exist above all sidewalks. He recommended code enforcement be asked for guidance.

Item 2016-21 concerning the bump outs at intersections, would require additional permits for the Streetscape program. Among the affected streets are Chestnut and Church streets as they will be receiving a stop light. It was motioned by Schleicher and seconded by Akinjiola and adopted by unanimous roll of four ayes present. Marvin Moyer and Greg Hutchison were not at the meeting.

Two residents on Church Street approached council and asked council to keep the two-way traffic flow. Some have said the one way is a good idea because of the wall and fence restricting flow, as two cars can not fit and would have to wait to pass one another. The motion to make Church Street one way was proposed for advertisement by Boyko, seconded by Schleicher who cited that the safety of the residents is important. The motion was adopted by three ayes with Becker opposed. It will be advertised for a public hearing after council approves the draft in November.

Bohem put together an ordinance to make the inspection of lateral sewer lines a requirement upon sale or transfer of a property. Penalty for non-compliance is set at $1,000.