The May 11 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission involved three applicants: Ricky Kulik Funeral Home, Suburban Self-Serve Car Wash and a trailer repair and storage facility.

The Ricky Kulik Funeral Home was represented by engineer Bud Newton. The discussion involved modifying a plan previously approved in 2018. The modifications include increased parking and adjustment of the stormwater basin. Newton talked about wanting to pave over reserve parking and reducing walls around the stormwater basin.

Newton said there would be a garage on the property for hearses and other funeral home vehicles.

Approval of the plan was recommended and passed 4-0.

Another project discussed was the Suburban Self-Serve car wash. The majority of the changes to the plan had to do with traffic flow along the site. There was talk about removing the new tunnel car wash originally planned. The commissioners also asked about the possibility of water recycling on the property. Newtown talked about improving circulation on the site.

Newton also suggested adding a walking path and Sycamore trees, as well as some landscaping.

Commissioner Tom Beil asked how the water is handled on the site. Newton said the water is sent into a pit after it is used and is treated to remove some of the solids before the water is sent to the sanitary sewer.

Newton talked about adding an underground storage tank for water on the property so during peak demand there would be a uniform flow of water to the car wash. Beil asked about finding a way to treat or recycle water. Commissioners asked Newton to come up with a plan to recycle at least a portion of the water.

In other meeting business, commissioners talked about pavement markings at the Mill Creek Road and Hamilton Boulevard intersection and asked if it had Pennsylvania Department of Transportation approval. There was a discussion about a possible walking path near the southern end of the site. The discussion was tabled.

The final project reviewed was a special exception for a trailer repair and storage facility.

Planning Director Nathan Jones wanted to make sure the lighting on the property is dark sky compliant.

Attorney Erich Schock represented the project. Schock talked about the property servicing the existing industrial area.

John Hummel represented the developer. Hummel said there are seven warehouses in the local area. He also said the property would be used to store extra trailers and would also include repair facilities.

The planning commission decided to make no formal recommendation to the zoning hearing board on the application.

With the resignation of Al Perez, the planning commission now has four members.

Planning commissioners met May 18 via Zoom. Face-to-face meetings will resume in June.

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. Currently, a video recording is uploaded to the township’s YouTube channel at a later date.