The May 18 meeting of the Lower Macungie Planning Commission involved two projects – Boyer Allentown Life Care Center and Guardian Storage Lower Macungie.

The first project discussed was a conditional use application for Boyer Allentown Life Care Center. The facility would be one story high and have 36 beds.

There is a large stormwater basin and the backside of the property has a large pipeline running through it with a substantial easement.

The planned development would fit in well with the surrounding neighborhoods. There was a discussion about the lighting on the property being dark sky compliant. The property would also include a retaining wall.

Nate Fox was the attorney for Boyer Allentown. Fox explained this life care center would provide a place for people to stay short-term after surgery to assist with rehabilitation. Fox also explained the property would service the Lower Macungie Township and Allentown areas.

Planning Commissioner Robert Rust asked about the setback from the property. Fox said the building would be 163 feet from the side of the property.

The project was represented by Spencer Summerhays of the Boyer Company. Summerhays said the walking path on the property is an amenity for patients and residents and would be private.

There was a discussion about the location of the property entrance. A motion to recommend approval of the conditional use passed unanimously.

The other project reviewed during the meeting was Guardian Storage Lower Macungie, LLC. The property would be located on Cedarbrook Road and replace four single-family homes.

The building on the property will be three stories high and have 120,000 square feet of storage space. Parking would be in the front of the building and it would have access on all sides. Township engineer Bryan McAdam asked about the possibility of widening Cedarbrook Road.

The project was represented by engineer Michael Lardi. Lardi said his goal is to offer an attractive, inviting development that meets the requirements of the design guidelines. He continued by saying most storage units have internal access.

The main building on the property would be an earth tone and have blue and orange accents. The property would be open seven days a week and would be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. There would be generous parking and the facility would be very secure.

Lardi talked about paving and curbing on the property. He said the property is a difficult area for drainage. Lardi’s plan was to divert stormwater around the improvements on the property. There was talk about the possibility of adding a swale on the property.

Lardi believed widening Cedarbrook Road or adding a sidewalk on their side of the road would make drainage more difficult. He argued there is no substantial benefit to extending the sidewalk along their side of Cedarbrook Road.

McAdam felt there should be some road widening due to the box trucks and other vehicles entering the property.

The planning commission decided to table the land development plan unanimously. The conventional use plan was approved unanimously.

The planning commission looked to find a secretary to fill Lower Macungie Township Commissioner Al Perez’s vacated seat. Commissioner Amy Miller was appointed as secretary.

The June 8 planning commission meeting will be in person at the township building, 3400 Brookside Road.

Usually the planning commission meets the second Tuesday of every month and occasionally there is a meeting on the third Tuesday of the month.

All meetings begin 7 p.m. and currently the planning commission meetings will be held via Zoom with a video recording later uploaded to the township’s YouTube channel.