The Aug. 10 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission included three applicants. There was a fourth application, Mill Creek Pointe Residential Development, who asked to be removed from the agenda.

The first application discussed was the Boyer Allentown Life Care Center. A waiver regarding the slope of the stormwater basin was discussed. Township Engineer Bryan McAdam said he is not concerned about the slope of the stormwater basin because it is privately maintained.

Township resident Mike Segal had some concerns about the infiltration basin on the property and the possibility of sinkholes. He asked to make sure the stormwater absorbs properly in the basin.

A motion to recommend approval of the preliminary and final plan passed unanimously.

Another project discussed was the Suburban Self-Serve Car Wash. The property’s owner was Jennifer Krall and the engineer was Bud Newton. The project would include modified lane structure as well as improved landscaping.

There was a discussion about water recycling. Newton said the water is treated and cleaned before entering the sewer system. He added some water is being reused with the undercarriage wash.

There was talk about using a flow meter to measure sewer usage. The planning commission was concerned Krall was depositing more water into the sewer than she was allocated. Newton said the improvements to the property would not affect the sewer usage.

Planning Commission Chairman Thomas Beil looked to table the discussion until next month so Newton and Krall could meet with the township solicitor and staff to come up with a condition regarding sewer usage. The motion to table the discussion was approved.

The final application discussed was the Brookside Meadows Apartments. The property would include two, three-story buildings with a cap of 44 units. Parking relief for the project had been previously approved by the zoning hearing board. The application was represented by Katherine Durso, of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba.

The property also would include outdoor amenities such as grilling, outdoor seating and fire pits. There was talk about the generous landscaping on the property along with the water feature and stormwater basin.

The property would include a walking path along the frontage of Brookside Road. The planning commission was looking for the applicant to put in a crosswalk allowing residents to walk from the apartments to the neighboring township amenities. There is a vacant residence on the property which will be removed.

There was a discussion about the stormwater issue on the property. The planning commission noted the encroachment of the 500- and 100-year flood plains are in the rear of the property. They also said less than six parking spots were in either flood plain, in accordance with township ordinances.

Durso talked about putting the stormwater basin in between the 100- and 500-year flood plains and keeping the buildings close to the road.

There was a discussion about who would be responsible for maintaining the property’s access road. Durso said maintenance of the access road is the shared responsibility of Brookside Apartments and Tyler Pipe, who owns property off the access road as well.

Durso said Brookside Apartments is happy to be responsible for maintaining the road at the moment, but could want shared responsibility if Tyler Pipe increases use of their property.

Segal had some concerns about flooding on the property and asked that the first floor of the property be made flood proof. He also wanted to make sure fire engines would be able to use the access road in case of an emergency.

The next planning commission meeting will be Sept. 7. Usually the planning commission meets the second Tuesday of every month and occasionally there is a meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. There will a workshop meeting in September.

All meetings begin 7 p.m. and the planning commission meetings will be in person with an online option over Zoom and a video recording uploaded to the township’s YouTube channel after the fact.