The lone topic discussed at the March 21 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission was the subdivision plan for two tracts of the Shepherd Hills subdivision. The tracts in question include the clubhouse and maintenance shed tract.

There is a deed of preservation on the Shepherd Hills Golf Course. The deed zones the property as either passive or active recreation and requires the property be divided into separate parcels.

Robert Ashford, the property’s applicant, is not required to do any work on the property. Instead Ashford is required to divide the property and proceed with the deed of preservation. Minimum lot size on the property was set at 50 feet.

The planning commission talked about how part of Krocks Road does not have a curb and how there might be a macadam path along Krocks Road in the future. A decision was made not to add curbing because it would cause drainage issues. Commissioners said they are currently improving pedestrian access at the intersection of Krocks Road and Lower Macungie Road and wanted to defer the requirements for sidewalks and curbs along Krocks Road.

Ashford did not want the requirements deferred because that would give him the responsibility of putting in a sidewalk in the future. He talked about his plan of possibly adding additional parking on the property and felt he should not add curbing or sidewalks until the lot is developed.

The planning commissioners talked about making the right-of-way a 40 foot radius and agreed to postpone the addition of curbs and sidewalks along the portions of the property in question until they are developed. Ashford said he did not plan for developing the property in the near future.

Both the clubhouse and maintenance shed tracts would not need sidewalks or curbing until they are developed, such as the addition of a building or the expansion of a building or parking lot. Development would be considered on a lot by lot basis. On the golf course lot, all waivers were deemed acceptable as long as the right-of-way has a 40 foot radius.

Lower Macungie Township resident Scott Rhone attended the meeting to discuss a dispute he has with the Shepherd Hills property. The rear property line was incorrect and Rhone would lose 20 feet along the back of his property. Ashford agreed to award the land to Rhone and adjust the lot line.

Resident Charles Patrell, who represented homeowners in Shepherd Hills, praised the planning commission for their work on the development plan. There was also a discussion about making Krocks Road more pedestrian friendly. The planning commission said it would be a few years before the project would be completed and they described a six foot macadam path along Krocks Road. They said the path would be primarily for pedestrian safety, especially students walking to and from bus stops.

The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Lower Macungie Township municipal campus.

The planning commission holds a workshop on the third Tuesday of each month when needed.

The planning commission will hold its next meeting April 4.