The Sept. 10 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission involved four applicants in addition to the discussion of the 5G Ordinance.

The first applicant was Mack Trucks, who was represented by Atty. Christopher McLean, of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba, P.C. Mack Trucks wants to improve parking on its property as part of a multi-step project.

The project would add 543 truck parking spaces and 34 passenger parking spaces for employees and visitors. There was a discussion about where the employee parking would be on the property.

McLean wanted a waiver when it came to the retention pond on the property. The planning commission requires a 6-1 slope on the retention pond and McLean wanted a slope of 3-1.

There was discussion for the employee parking to be on the north end of the property near Alburtis Road. McLean wanted to keep the employee parking away from unfinished trucks that would be stored on the property.

McLean said he felt having the employees que at the Orchard Road exit at shift changes might be an improvement over the current situation. There was a discussion about putting in a traffic signal at the employee exit. The planning commission decided the idea of a traffic signal should be explored, but it should not be a condition for approval.

There was a discussion about the retention basin. McLean said the runoff uses sheet flow for about 300 feet until it reaches the creek. The planning commission asked if there is enough filtration if contaminants, such as salt or oil, get into the water.

The planning commission felt the traffic concept could use some refining. They agreed to accept the waivers and recommend approval of parking improvements conditional upon further review of the vehicle exit between the engineers, the applicant and planning commission representatives.

The planning commission also discussed the U-Haul Self Storage project during the meeting. U-Haul was represented by Matt Chartrand from Bohler Engineering and Atty. Erich Schock, of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba.

Chartrand and Schock had seven waivers. Some of them involved sidewalks, bike lanes, utilities and basin side slope.

Chartrand and Schock talked about a historic building on the property. They would have a third party study the building and then decide what to do with the building. Chartrand and Schock were open to keeping the structure.

There was a discussion about the sidewalk and bike lanes on the property. Chartrand and Schock said they could not have a sidewalk or bike lane because the property does not extend out to Route 100. They questioned if the property is an area the township wants to encourage people to walk through. The planning commission is still trying to get a more walkable community.

Chartrand and Schock discussed having a side slope of 3-1 on the retention basin and the township wanted a slope of 4.5-1. Director of Planning Nathan Jones wanted to make sure the landscaping on the property meshes with the neighboring area.

Chartrand and Schock said they were trying to maximize the area of the retention basin. The planning commission agreed on a 4.5-1 slope. The discussion was tabled.

Another project discussed during the meeting was the Spring Creek Properties settlement, which was represented by Atty. Greg Davis, of Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP. The property is located in the Spring Creek Highway Industrial zone. The planning commission applauded the long queuing area for trucks on the property.

There were some concerns about the turning radius on the emergency access road. The traffic impact study was also discussed.

The final project discussed during the meeting was the Mountain View Estates development. Engineer Bud Newton, of Newton Engineering, represented the project and talked about a new waiver regarding the aspect ratio of two lots on the property. The aspect ratio would be off by three or four feet.

Newton argued there is not much that can be done. If the lot size is increased the aspect ratio becomes worse.

There was a discussion about the stormwater drainage easement. The planning commission wanted to make sure the future owners of the lots are aware of the stormwater easement restrictions. The waivers and lot line adjustment plan were approved.

Director, Planning & Community Development Nathan Jones talked about the 5G Ordinance during the meeting. He said the ordinance could not be in a better position to be advertised. The ordinance was recommended to be forwarded to the board of commissioners and be advertised for adoption.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting will be Oct. 8. Usually the planning commission meets the second Tuesday of every month and occasionally there is a workshop meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings take place 7 p.m. and are in the township municipal building.