The Jan. 9 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission included some reorganization, along with four projects.

The meeting began with reorganization. Wesley Barrett was elected chairman, while Martine Minninger was elected vice chairperson and Ozias Moore was elected secretary.

The first project discussed was 6130 Sauerkraut Lane Subdivision. There was a discussion about stormwater on the property and it being in the 500-year flood plain. Township Engineer Brian Cicak said the Federal Emergency Management Agency restricts new construction in the 500-year flood plain.

The project was represented by Joseph Rentko of Black Forest Engineering. Rentko said it did not make sense they were allowed to subdivide property, but not to build in the 500-year flood plain.

The planning commission asked for a Letter of Map Amendment, or LOMA, from FEMA. Rentko argued this was not a reasonable expectation but Cicak said applicants have been required to submit LOMAs previously.

Township Planning Director Nathan Jones suggested moving the conversation into administrative review.

A motion to recommend approval of the plan to the board of commissioners subject to further discussion with engineers and attorneys regarding stormwater passed.

The next project was the Top Golf Preliminary Final Plan. This project was represented by John McRoberts of the Pidcock Company along with Todd Waldo of Top Golf.

Jones said there were no remaining planning issues. There was a discussion about lighting on the property. It was clarified the parking lot lights would need to be dark sky compliant, while lighting on the field is more directional and does not need to be dark sky compliant.

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

Another applicant discussed was 1450 Brookside Road. The property is a single lot subdivided into two. Jones spoke about keeping the existing trees on the property, but also adding new trees.

There was a discussion about adding a path along Brookside Road. Jones said the planning commission should think with an eye to the future when it comes to this project as it could probably be subdivided again in the future.

The project was represented by Andrew Bohl of Hanover Engineering. Bohl was looking to get a deferral of the walking path. There was also a conversation about the ultimate right of way and impervious coverage on the property. A motion to move the project into technical review passed.

The final project discussed was North Krocks Road Mixed Use Development. There were no planning items to discuss. Jones considered moving the project into technical review. The project is focused on traffic, stormwater and roadway design at this time. The project received approval for its emergency access from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority.

A motion to move the project into technical review passed.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting will be Feb. 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 January.

Meetings begin 6 p.m. and 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.