Sara Pandl, the planning director for Lower Macungie Township, announced her retirement at the Aug. 1 Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting, Paindl served the township for 10 years and was the first professional director for the township. This meeting was her last for the township.

President Ronald Beitler said “she filled the role well.”

Beiter mentioned several of Pandl’s many achievements: she was instrumental in the Greenway project (with the first section from Wild Cherry to Brookside roads to open very soon) and the official map. She was involved in the East Texas Village preservation and various farmland preservation projects and the Southwest Regional Plan.

Pandl expressed her gratitude for everyone’s help through the years. “There is a fabulous staff, they are top-notch,” Paindl said.

Nathan Jones will take over as director, planning and community development.

In other business, the commissioners approved Resolution 2019-25 which includes the guidelines for uses and implementation of zoning ordinances, land development and subdivisions. It encourages improvement of appearance of township corridors. It also encourages smart growth and development.

The township has created comprehensive design guidelines. These will not supersede township zoning ordinances but will assist with regulating planning.

Ordinances 2019-10 and 11 were also approved which are related to the resolution.

The Sanitary Sewer System Rehabilitation project for multiple municipalities, including Lower and Upper Macungie, Salisbury and Coplay-Whitehall, has a bid subject to approval. The Lower Macungie Township portion is for $637,158. This was approved by the commissioners.

Engineer Alan Fernwald also reported on several projects. The Wild Cherry parking lot is complete with some minor landscaping to be finished shortly. The Spring Ridge pathway and park are moving along and the Wild Cherry Bridge is nearing completion.

Township Manager Bruce Beitel made a recommendation to put two items up for bid on Municibid.com. The items include a 2001 Ford pick-up truck and a 1997 John Deere tractor. This was approved by the commissioners.