There was a conditional use hearing during the hybrid Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners meeting May 20. The purpose of the meeting was to establish conditional use submission for the project at the East Texas Barn, 1935 Willow Lane, the site of the former Willows restaurant.

The project to be considered is to reuse and adapt a 114-year-old barn as a mixed use building.

The proposed plan is to create a distillery, brewery and taproom on the first floor. The distillery will produce spirits for consumption on and off the premises. The brewery will produce beer and similar beverages with the same purpose.

The taproom will offer seating and entertainment within guidelines. The large outdoor area will include a deck, a playground, fire pits and access to the Little Lehigh for recreational purposes such as fishing.

The plan calls for proposed apartments on the second floor. The proposal is for two, two bedroom apartments.

Preserving the barn is highly supported by the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society. It was said an average of one barn per year is demolished.

The conditional use application was approved by the commissioners with both Ronald Beitler and Ron Beitler recused due to being the owners of the property.

In other township news, Larry Schneider died May 19 and was remembered as a key member of the change of government in Lower Macungie Township. He was involved in the change from a Second Class Township to a First Class Township.

Other township news included Al Perez resigning from the planning commission due to lack of time from an increase in his employer’s workload. The commissioners spoke highly of his performance and accepted his resignation with regret.

A thank-you letter was sent to Lower Macungie Township from the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley for a grant received for the municipal fund appeal.

An ordinance was approved for refinancing a general obligation note from 2017. Key Government Finance, Inc. is the institution assisting to save the township money.

The township road striping project experienced an unusual occurrence with no bids for the project received. This is possibly due to projects delayed through the COVID-19 period which produced delays and postponements. The project will be re-advertised.

Director of Planning Nathan Jones brought awareness of a proposed special exception plan for a truck and trailer parking and repair facility for the lot at Alburtis, Schoenenck Roads and Industrial Parkway. This proposed project will be presented before the zoning hearing board. There will be no representation from the commissioners who voiced their concerns over this project.

The Lower Macungie Township pool will open as usual. There were some additional changes to the fee schedule mainly for youth and seniors. Additional information is available on the website lowermac.com.