The June 13 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission involved projects Spring Creek Estates, 801 North Broad St. mixed use, Raising Canes and Lehigh Valley Town Center with Top Golf.

The first project discussed was Spring Creek Estates. The property consists of two residual lots from the Spring Creek Estates subdivision. The property would have eight townhomes on each of the two lots with a loop road.

There would be a dog run on the property. The property has very generous landscaping. There was a discussion about naturalizing the landscaping in the stormwater area. Parking on the property was discussed. The idea of putting up no parking signs on the surrounding streets was suggested.

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

The second project discussed was 801 North Broad St. mixed-use. The project was represented by Bud Newton, of Newton Engineering and Attorney Catherine Durso, of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba. The property directly abuts the Hamilton Crossings shopping center.

There was a discussion about interconnectivity and crosswalks on the property. Planning Director Nathan Jones said representatives from Hamilton Crossings were unwilling to allow vehicular or pedestrian connectivity between the two sites.

There were discussions about improvements to North Broad Street. Newton spoke about widening parts of North Broad Street. It was questioned if North Broad Street is in good enough shape to handle the necessary traffic.

Also discussed was if there was enough downward slope on the property to have a stormwater basin.

The property would have a small office and apartments above them. A motion to recommend approval of the project to the board of commissioners passed unanimously.

Another project discussed was fast food restaurant Raising Canes in Trexler Business Center. The property would have a street wall along the drive-thru and a monument sign. The planning commission has reviewed the architectural elevations.

There was a discussion about the circulation and traffic flow on the site. The planning commission had concerns about one entrance to the property bordering the Texas Roadhouse property.

Newton was the engineer for the project and the attorney for the project was Erich Schock, of Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba. There was a discussion if there should be a connection between Raising Canes and Texas Roadhouse. Newton said Texas Roadhouse is unwilling to change their property.

Township Commissioner Maury Roberts voiced concerns about traffic safety. He talked about the stop bars at the intersection with the drive-thru. Newton said a three way stop would be added at that intersection. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

The final project discussed was Lehigh Valley Town Center Top Golf. The site is a mixed use property located at 361 Schantz Road and 4511 Cedarbrook Road.

The 58-acre property would include 165,000 square feet of retail space, 180,000 square feet of office space, a 100-room hotel and a residential complex with 550 units.

The mixed use portion of the property would have an internal boulevard, pedestrian centered. Jones said every note is being hit with this project from the planning side. The property is being developed by Jaindl Land Company and is represented by Schock as well as John McRoberts from the Pidcock Company.

Schock talked about the phasing of the plan. The first phase would involve Top Golf and the property’s stormwater basin. The rest of the development would be split into two phases.

The planning commission praised the project saying “it is something we have not seen in the Lehigh Valley in a long time.”

There was a discussion about putting in a buffer to protect the view from the neighboring cemetery. A suggestion was made to use a buffer with a fence on top of it.

There was talk about the possibility of light pollution from Top Golf onto the highway. Schock said he does not believe it will be an issue.

The planning commission brought up the idea of rooftop bars on some of the buildings. Schock said the hotel would have a rooftop bar on it. The idea of outdoor dining in the mixed use area was discussed.

Jones said the stormwater basins on the property should be open and not surrounded by vegetation. Fire access to the property was discussed and the idea of having a substation or some sort of public safety area on the property was suggested.

The planning commission made a motion to recommend approval of the project based on a lengthy list of terms the developer agreed to as written subject to comments to be addressed before the board of commissioners’ final approval.

The next planning commission meeting will be July 11. 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 July.

Regular and workshop meetings begin 6 p.m. Currently all planning commission meetings are held both in person and over Zoom with a video recording uploaded to the township’s YouTube channel after the fact.