The July 10 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission involved multiple housing developments where the ownership of roads was discussed.

The first project discussed was section six of the Millbrook Farms development. The property is 20.35 acres and includes 43 single family homes. During the meeting, the commissioners discussed the best configurations for recreation on the property as well as the township owning the development’s roads.

There was a discussion about adding a walking path on the development. The planning commission brought up the issue of easements and making sure residents do not construct structures, such as fences, in the easement.

The side slope of the water basin and depth of manholes were two items Milbrook Farms received waivers for. Another waiver involved the size of the recreation land, which was 1.8 acres instead of the required two acres.

A major discussion was the public or private ownership of roads. The planning commission wanted to make sure there are sufficient funds in the homeowners association for road and recreation area maintenance. The land development plan was approved unanimously.

Another development discussed was the Elbow Lane Subdivision. The subdivision is represented by Engineer Bud Newtown. The property will have 25 to 30 lots and three different configurations were submitted.

A possible issue is that some of the lots are fairly constrained. One lot in the development backing up to the Pennsylvania Turnpike has a rather steep concourse. Newton explained there is currently a billboard there built on a mound.

There was a discussion about using the center island on the property as a recreation area. Newton talked about the idea of the township taking over control of the roads in the development.

A question was raised about the future widening of the turnpike and its effect on the development. Newton said if the turnpike is widened and the subdevelopment was already in existence, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would have to put in a sound barrier.

There was a debate over ownership of the roads in the development. Commissioner John Hammer questioned if the planning commissioners should be the ones to make the decision. Fellow Commissioner Robert Rust felt roads should be public unless the development asks for private roads.

Ron Beitler, president of the Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners, attended the meeting and said the board of commissioners in general prefers private roads.

“Where are we in our build up process? Do we still need more single family homes,” Beitler asked.

The planning commission approved the sketch plan and decided the roads would be dedicated to the township by a vote of 6-1.

The Stone Hills Meadows development, represented by Engineer Tom Dredge, also had its second phase discussed during the meeting. The first phase of the project is already under construction.

This project will eventually extend into the borough of Macungie. There will be 24 homes over two cul-de-sacs and include 70 percent open space overall. The second phase can’t proceed without a connection through Macungie.

Stone Hills Meadows will need to check with Allen Organ to make sure they are on board with the project. There will be one homeowners association for all phases of the project.

There was a discussion about whether the fire hydrants in the development are private hydrants or Lehigh County Authority hydrants that the homeowners association pays for. Discussion of the project was tabled until the next meeting.

The final project discussed during the meeting was the Spring Creek Properties Development, which was represented by Attorney Greg Davis from Saul Ewing. Davis was asking for a lot line adjustment for two of the lots on the property as part of the land development plan for a warehouse on the property.

The property has four access roads to increase flow. There was a discussion about the possibility of a rail service. The commissioners also talked about the addition of a riparian buffer as well as landscaping around the entryways.

Davis said he talked with Norfolk Southern about a rail service, but wanted to wait until he knew what sort of tenant should be on the property before making a decision. He also said the corridor along the water creates a habitat for the toads that live on the property. The discussion was tabled until a later meeting.