The March 18 Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting began with a continuation of the Macungie Manor conditional use hearing.

Developer Abraham Atiyeh attended to answer questions presented during the hearing. Atiyeh clarified one structure will be classified as an independent living building and the other structure will be classified as a personal care building.

Atiyeh went on to say there will be no mental health residents. Qualifications for residency include no behavior issues and drug dependency. There are other facilities in the area for these types of patients.

A description of the two buildings was discussed. There are 86 units in each building which has been clarified to say 15 studio units and 71 one bedroom units. The usual occupancy is one person per unit. However, couples may share the units. There are also dining facilities and service areas.

All residents shall be seniors or disabled adults. In other facilities, the youngest resident is 55. The average age of the resident in this facility will be 75 to 85 years.

Independent living residents will receive three meals a day and housekeeping. In the personal care facility, the same is provided as well as laundry, medications, bathing and transportation services.

Area residents continue to raise concerns. One resident expressed concern about the possibility of changing the function of the buildings. What could keep this from changing to an apartment complex? Atiyeh answered saying he is not in the apartment business. If the use should change, it would need to be brought before the board of commissioners.

Another area of concern raised revolved around the proposed water for the units. Residents are concerned over the possibility of there being a need to hook up to this system while presently, Clearview Manor residents use wells. There was also concern over the possibility of the board relaxing the impervious coverage. Both of these items were not before the board at present.

Traffic issues continue to be part of the feedback from Clearview Manor residents. One resident produced a video filmed at night showing a car traveling on Hillview Road and how it disappeared in the dip found on this road.

A decision will be reached before April 30 on this development. Further discussion will be had by the commissioners during the executive session.

An executive session was held after the meeting to talk about this development as well as to discuss some land acquisition.

In other business, a resident sent a letter urging the commissioners to keep Lower Macungie pool open. Township Manager Bruce Beitel said the agreement with Emmaus Aquatic Club is continuing and is moving forward.