The May 9 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission involved six projects: the Cove at Millbrook, 2072 Elbow Lane, Stone Hill Haven, Spring Creek Estates, Lehigh Valley Town Center and Raising Canes. Three of the five planning commission members were present at the meeting; Thomas Beil, Wesley Barrett and Ozias Moore.

The first project discussed was the Cove at Millbrook. Located along Sauerkraut Lane, the plan includes 16 single family homes on an internal loop road. There would be double frontage on some lots.

There was a discussion about swales and internal stormwater management on the property. Because the property is in a no detention area, there is no stormwater basin on the property. There was a discussion about frontage improvements and having a walking path along the entirety of Sauerkraut Lane.

Residents had concerns about stormwater and flooding downstream. There was a discussion about the culvert at Krick Lane.

Elizabeth Kane, a resident at 2996 Macungie Road, voiced concerns about increased flooding downstream.

“This is a large problem and it is only going to get worse,” Kane said.

Planning Commission Chair Beil suggested residents ask the board of commissioners to have the township engineer perform a drainage study of the area in question.

A motion to recommend approval of the plan to the board of commissioners passed unanimously.

The second project was the 2072 Elbow Lane subdivision. The proposal involves two new building lots, plus one lot for the existing structure on the property. There was a discussion about stormwater management including infiltration fields.

The engineer for the project is Alan Fornwalt of Keystone Consulting Engineers and he was joined at the meeting by the property owner, Paul Stepniak. A motion to recommend approval of the plan to the board of commissioners was passed unanimously.

Another project discussed was Stone Hill Haven minor subdivision. The property is located at 6709 Mountain Road. The applicant did not send representation to the meeting. The property will include one dwelling unit. The planning commission talked about having an easement for a trail around the edge of the property for connectivity to other township trails in the future.

There would be no sidewalks or curbing on the property as the township wants to keep the rural look of the area. The planning commission said if they were to have a trail along the property, they would have to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to create a safe crossing of Mountain Road. A motion to recommend approval of the plan to the board of commissioners passed unanimously.

The next project discussed was Spring Creek Estates. The property consists of two lots and is located off Lower Macungie Road. The plan calls for a block of townhomes on the property. There was a discussion about the walkability of the property. The planning commission voiced concerns that with an increase of multigenerational residences there may not be enough parking on the property. There would not be an homeowners association and the owner of the property would be responsible for snow removal and other road maintenance. The engineer for the project is Joseph Rentko of Black Forest Engineering. The discussion was tabled.

Another project discussed was Lehigh Valley Town Center and Top Golf. This property would involve a mixed use development and Top Golf entertainment center. The mixed use portion would include up to 500 apartments as well as retail and office space.

There was a discussion about the importance of the street level businesses. The project is represented by Attorney Erich Schock from Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba as well as John McRoberts from the Pidcock Company.

The Top Golf building would be three stories and include 72 hitting bays. Schock talked about realigning the building to help prevent light pollution.

The mixed use portion of the property would have retail on the first floor with apartments above. This would give the area a “main street” feel. There was a discussion about the recreation and stormwater areas on the property.

The planning commission asked about the design of the parking deck. Schock said to plan for it to match the facade of the other buildings rather than look like a parking deck.

There was a discussion about the idea of going through with the approval of Top Golf separately to keep Top Golf on its timeline. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

The final project discussed was Raising Canes, a fast food brand specializing in chicken tenders and fries. The property would be located next to the Movie Tavern Trexlertown at the Trexler Business Center on Hamilton Boulevard. Raising Canes would offer dine-in services as well as a double drive-thru. There would also be significant outdoor dining.

The property has a generous landscaping plan. The rear of the building faces Hamilton Boulevard and there was a discussion about having a frontage design on the rear of the property. Bud Newton of Newton Engineering is the engineer for this project. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

The next planning commission meeting will be June 13. 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 May.

Both regular and workshop meetings begin 6 p.m. Currently all 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.