The Jan. 15 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission began with some reorganization.

Tom Beil was given the chairman position; Maury Robert was named vice chairman and Tim Pickle was named to the secretary position. All the appointments were unanimous.

The first project discussed was the new headquarters facility for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., 763 Mill Creek Road. The project was represented by Pat Garay as well as Attorney Blake Marles. The engineer was Kevin Markel from Barry Isset. There was a discussion about access to the property. Frontage improvements, such as a walking path and street trees, were also discussed.

There was a discussion about the retention basin on the property for runoff. Marles, Markel and Garay had asked for waivers involving the retention basin. The planning commission also discussed the traffic impact fee. It was calculated the project would create 156 trips a day creating a traffic impact fee of approximately $391,000. The waivers for the land development plan and lot consolidation plan were approved.

Another project discussed was the proposed truck logistics facility at Orchard and Alburtis roads. The representative from the project was Michael Jeitner of Boher Engineering. The property would be used as a truck storage area for Mack Trucks. There was a discussion about having a berm to protect the nearby neighborhood from noise and light pollution.

There was a discussion about getting a waiver for a sidewalk along both sides of the street. The planning commission asked about having a proper turning radius on Orchard Road. An emergency bypass route was discussed in case the nearby Swabia Creek floods the current emergency access road.

The planning commission wanted to look at a combination of tree preservation and new tree planting. The berm on the property would be an earthen berm with vegetation on both sides and a 3-1 slope.

Jeitner said he had been speaking with property owners on the other side of the berm. The property was designed to avoid backing up as much as possible. The property would be in operation 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. There was a debate whether to use a sound wall or more extensive planting on the berm.

Pickle spoke as a neighbor of the project. He said the applicant is trying to be a good neighbor. Pickle questioned how the applicant will get equipment on to the property. He stressed the importance of having very strong fuel safety on the property as he relies on well water for his home.

Pickle said he liked the idea of an earthen berm, as he wants to make sure he doesn’t have to look at the parked trucks. The waivers and preliminary development plan were recommended and approved unanimously.

The final project discussed was the Spring Creek Properties project. The project is represented by Attorney Greg Davis of Saul Ewing. The project would be a single warehouse.

The planning commission stressed the importance of separating the employee and truck driveways. There was talk of a need for trailer storage on the property. Davis said there will be landscaping and a nice sign at the corner entrance.