The Nov. 12 meeting of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission included two projects, Spring Creek Estates 2022 Modification and Hardt Preserve Sketch Plan.

The first project discussed was Spring Creek Estates 2022 Modification. The project was represented by Alan Fornwalt of Keystone Consulting Engineers and the applicant, Mariano Difiore.

The previously approved plan for this project included two town house units and Difiore is now looking to add a third town house unit with similar driveway circulation and additional parking.

Township Engineer Bryan McAdam said there were no significant planning issues with the project and wanted to ensure Difiore would comply with the issues brought up in his letter.

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

The second project discussed was the Hardt Preserve Sketch Plan. The project was represented by the applicant, Christopher Canavan of WB Homes. The property is located at 4103 Indian Creek Road, between Olympic Drive and Overlook Drive.

The project would include 26 single family home lots, along with three parcels of land to be used for stormwater management. Canavan said there would be an extensive landscaping buffer between Indian Creek Road and the rear of home lots.

Canavan talked about offering up the roadways for dedication to the township. He also said the open space and stormwater facilities would be owned and maintained by a homeowners association.

There was a discussion about pedestrian access and connectivity on the property.

Canavan talked about adding a 2- to 4-foot shoulder to Indian Creek Road. He also discussed adding a bike or walking trail along Indian Creek Road Rather than a sidewalk. Canavan questioned if curbing made sense along Indian Creek Road.

He talked about how a meandering macadam path set further off the road and appropriately landscaped would be the better look along Indian Creek Road rather than a sidewalk. There was a discussion about a pedestrian crossing on Indian Creek Road.

There was a discussion about easements for storm pipes. The idea was to have a blanket easement over the storm pipes, where the homeowners association would be responsible for the ownership and maintenance of the storm sewer on site.

Building appearance and design was discussed as well as if there should be a sidewalk or walking trail on Olympic Drive.

The planning commission suggested the idea of adding a trail connecting Indian Creek Road to Olympic Park.

The next Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting will be Dec. 10. 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 November.

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.