The Jan. 10 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission began with reorganization.

Thomas Beil was named chairman, while Jon Hammer was named vice chairman and Wesley Barrett was named secretary.

There were three projects discussed; a development at 4950 Liberty Lane, Grist Mill Apartments and Macungie Crossings. Two other projects, Trexlertown Road subdivision and Elbow Lane subdivision, were taken off the agenda at the applicants’ request.

The first project discussed was a request for zone change at 4950 Liberty Lane. Currently the property is a large parking lot. The applicant, Stuart Rodgers, was looking for a zone change to allow for further development on the property. This would include town homes as well as a building for facilities maintenance equipment.

Rodgers was looking to move the property to the Wescosville Zoning District. He was represented during the meeting by Jason Buchta of Ott Consulting. The planning commission would have to stretch the Wescosville zone or a neighboring urban zone to encompass the property in question.

Commissioners talked about possible traffic improvements on Liberty Street. Rodgers said he had to give up some of his land for a future traffic light. A motion to support moving the property into the Urban Zone passed 3-2. The two dissenting votes were Beil and Hammer.

The planning commissioners decided the urban zone would be brought in from the east if the zones were to be adjusted.

The second project discussed was 3500 Brookside Road Grist Mill Apartments. There was a discussion about the pedestrian crosswalk. Commissioners asked about having a lit pedestrian sign, which had been agreed upon but was not shown on the plan.

The property would include a walking trail and dog run. There was a discussion about stormwater concerns on the property. The property was represented by Catherine Durso of Fitzpatrick, Lentz and Bubba as well as Tony Ganguza of Boyle Construction and Jeff Bennett of Bohler Engineering.

Durso talked about getting a letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that would have a more accurate 100- and 500- year flood plain. There was a discussion about the stormwater plan on the property.

The project was tabled until the next meeting.

The final project discussed was Macungie Crossings Condo Unit 2. The property would be 10,000 square feet. The rear of the building faces Hamilton Boulevard, but was designed to look like store fronts in order to meet Hamilton Boulevard design guidelines.

The rear of the building would include faux window panels with awnings and signage above the service doors. The property was represented by Bud Newton of Newton Engineering and Chris McLean of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba.

Commissioners had an issue with the fact the plan referenced sections of the old zoning ordinance. Newton said he had to keep the references to show approval of lot two.

Both the Home Depot building and the second building had previously been approved but the other two parcels on the property would be new.

There was a discussion about whether a screening wall would be necessary with the new Hamilton Boulevard frontage plan. Newton explained the building would be about 12 feet higher than the road.

Newton said the patio on the accessory building would have a retaining wall. There were some concerns about turnaround of businesses in the second building and the ease of adjustment between tenants. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

The next planning commission meeting will be Feb. 14.

Usually the planning commission meets the second Tuesday of every month and occasionally there is a workshop meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. There will be no workshop in January or February.

Both regular and workshop meetings will begin 6 p.m. Currently, all Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meetings will be held both in person and over Zoom with a video recording uploaded to the township’s YouTube channel after the fact.