Schoeneck Road Development was supposed to be part of the July 11 Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission Meeting, but the applicant asked to be taken off of the agenda.

The planning commission discussed the Orchard Road Industrial Building during the meeting. The property is in an industrial zone and is 36 and a half acres in size. It is located at the intersection of Alburtis Road and Orchard Road. The proposed warehouse is over 160,000 square feet.

One concern is a portion of the property is inside the 100-year flood plain. Another issue is there is a single lane bridge in the area which cannot support over five tons. There are also questions about how the proposed warehouse could impact the roadway and nearby Swabia Creek and surrounding floodplain.

The proposed warehouse will require extensive buffering since it is near a residential property. It is estimated the warehouse could bring in up to 150 trucks a day.

Resident Mary Hensley was unsure how a warehouse fits in within 100 yards of an historic farmhouse with its original out buildings. Another resident, Gale Burkhart, had concerns when it came to the safety of area children. She added there are a lot of cyclists in the area and it is becoming harder to bike on the road. Resident Mike Segal made the suggestion the applicant work with the township to try and find another plan for the property. The discussion was tabled unanimously.

Next the planning commission talked about the project at 5347 and 5329 Hamilton Blvd. The project would involve combining two parcels of land. They will keep half of the twin on the property for office space and add a fast food restaurant and commercial building on the property.

The fast food restaurant on the property would include an outdoor patio area. The applicant explained the restaurant would be a deli concept and be different from other fast food chains in the area. At the time there is no plan for a retail business on the property.

The planning commission asked about the possibility of keeping a farmhouse on the property. There could be additions to the building in order to have a drive through.

The planning commission argued it would not make much sense to have three different uses on a parcel of land less than an acre. They felt there was an issue with the look of the structure and the historic past of the property. The applicant requested the discussion be tabled and there be an extension before the zoning hearing board.

Another topic discussed during the meeting was the CVS on Route 100 and Willow Lane. The main outstanding issue for the project involved stormwater. The applicant requested the minimum water quality request be lowered, but there were questions if water quality aspects could be waived. The class 5 infiltration well on the property has been approved by the EPA.

There was a discussion about the front design of the building to be based on local historical buildings. The planning commission created a letter approving the primary plan with the understanding there will be one more pass through regarding the façade.

The Ciocca Audi Dealership, which was adjacent to Subaru on Hamilton Boulevard, was also discussed during the meeting. There was a discussion about frontage improvements along the property and the neighboring Dunkin Donuts putting in a sidewalk.

The applicants’ two waivers were granted and approval of the final land development plan was approved with one objection.

The meeting also involved a discussion about the second phase of Stone Hill Meadows. The first phase of the project involved a cul-de-sac with 24 homes. The second phase would involve 85 single family homes. The third phase would be in Macungie and attached by a road. The first phase would connect to Macungie Borough’s trail system. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission will take place 7 p.m. Aug. 8. Meetings typically are on the second Tuesday of the month and take place in the township municipal building.