The room became so warm during the February Upper Macungie supervisors meeting that Treasurer Bruce Koller had to adjust the thermostat to a cooler temperature

There was standing room only for the crowd of about 75 people, many of whom came to see if the board would vote for the change in the allowable height of a building.

Americold Logistics is proposing a building with a height of 130 feet to 140 feet for a refrigeration business at Snowdrift and Ambassador roads.

The company wants to expand the business by building vertically.

Americold had filed an appeal with the zoning hearing board for a variance on the height limitation of 50 feet and was granted approval.

However, the township did not agree with the grant and decided to appeal the zoning board’s decision.

The developer proposed an ordinance amendment to solve the problem. After testimony, both pro and con, the board decided that this request should be denied.

Four ordinances were on the agenda for approval.

These included repeal of the traffic impact fees, updating the existing police pension plan, the creation of a secondary police plan and the new sewer tapping fees.

Following the ordinances were three resolutions.

Preliminary/final plan approval for the Shoppes at Trexler Plaza, 5917 Tilghman St., and Laurel Fields Phase V on Werley Road were reviewed.

Several waivers were granted for each plan.

The third resolution was to establish the building code board of appeals.

Jitesh “Jay” Rohatgi was appointed as alternate member of the zoning hearing board.

Authorization was given to hire some new employees along with authorization to advertise for a zoning officer/assistant director of community development. The board will also advertise for a recreation job.

Several more authorizations were given. They included preparation of, and advertisement for bids on 2020 paving projects, refuse and recycling and the collection of delinquent accounts. The special event application for Sangriafest was approved.

Marty Hetrick wanted to know about the status of the driveway problem in Parkland Fields.

Hetrick claimed he was never told about the problem and when the property inspector was there, he approved the lot.

The planning commission was busy. Shoppes at Trexler Plaza, Laurel Fields Phase V, 1047 Cetronia Road Apartments and the Motel 6 lot consolidation were all on the agenda.

The Shoppes at Trexler Plaza and Laurel Fields Phase V were the only ones to receive a recommendation for approval. No action was taken on the last two plans.

Forty-one building permits were issued along with six electrical, four mechanical, four plumbing, five sewer tapping, three sprinkler and 20 zoning.

Licenses issued included nine plumbing, 21 electrical and four septic tank pumper.

New construction included two single family and four single family attached structures.

The code enforcement department will continue to monitor the parking situation at Madeline’s Restaurant. Enforcement of the correction of the problem at Kuhnsville Auto has begun.

Those involved in the driveway problem in Parkland Fields were given an extension of time until April.

The signage for Oldt Road restricting the truck traffic has been ordered.

Upper Macungie police received 814 total calls for service in January.

Officers issued 365 traffic citations and 113 written warnings.

DUI offenses led the list of reported crimes at 19 and disturbing the peace at 13.

The K-9 corps participated in two narcotics checks and five stop assists.

The motor carrier program performed 22 inspections which yielded 43 violations and 20 citation issued.

EMS responses were 102 (Priority 1), 47 (Priority 2) and 70 (Priority 3).

Emergency responses included 39 for Fogelsville, 37 for Trexlertown and 51 for Station 56.

Fogelsville and Station 56 each lost a member while Trexlertown lost two.