By MICHAEL HIRSCH

Special to The Press

Upper Macungie supervisors approved the Twin Ponds housing development with a day care facility for preliminary approval and sewage facilities planning module by a 2-1 vote on July 3. Supervisor Sunny Ghai opposed.

The development has 132 residential apartment units in 22 buildings surrounding a large parking lot at 8739 Hamilton Blvd. between Twin Ponds Road and Treeline Drive.

The developer, D.R. Horton, hasn’t shown architectural renderings and color samples yet.

Ghai expressed concern about noise from Jake breaks that could be heard on Hamilton Boulevard/Route 222.

A discussion followed about whether or not landscaping will help mitigate noise levels, but the developer would rather not build berms because they would take up too much space.

Ghai was concerned about the waiver for sidewalks and curbs.

“I don’t know if we’re all aware, but you know back a year ago, we all agreed to the Vision Zero plan. We signed a pledge,” Ghai said.

Supervisor Jeff Fleischaker voiced concerns about the plan to build apartments that rely on a day care center to be successful.

He said day care centers have been struggling and might not be sustainable.

This could leave the apartments without a key amenity and the township stuck with residents who can’t be easily relocated.

The development will build a new road called Lilly Lane parallel to Hamilton Boulevard.

“Some of the discussion we had at the planning commission and the reason why the waiver was recommended, is since they provided a sidewalk, basically an internal sidewalk along their proposed road that connected Twin Ponds to Treeline Drive essentially was looked at as a swap for the sidewalk along Hamilton Boulevard as a safer route for pedestrians to go,” David Alban, township engineer, explained.

“Because if pedestrians are using that sidewalk, they are going to be coming down from the development from Highgate and Twin Ponds in that area.

“Then they can use this internal sidewalk to Treeline Drive.”

Further discussion showed that Treeline Drive is private and sidewalks can’t be required by the township.

In other matters, a motion was made to authorize advertising for a hearing date for the proposed noise ordinance that affects the zoning and SALDO on Sept. 5.

This was unanimously approved.

The board also approved creating a steering committee for the future of fire services in the township.

Township officials and firefighters could discuss how to address problems with local fire service, particularly the lack of volunteers.

Fleischaker was appointed to be the supervisors’ representative to the committee.