LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Farmland in Lower Macungie once set to become apartments will instead become township property after a vote of the township board of commissioners Monday.
Commissioners voted unanimously to buy the 44-acre property at 6300 Lower Macungie Road from the Danweber Land Trust for $9.4 million.
“We're buying it for a little bit more than it was appraised for, the Danwebers are selling it for a little bit less than they wanted, and that's how compromise happens.”Lower Macungie Township Commissioner Ron Beitler
Jason Danweber, one of the land’s owners, proposed a 30-building, 180-unit apartment complex called Mill Creek Pointe at the site.
Township planners had already approved the new development when officials reached an agreement with the landowners to buy the property instead.
“I'm very appreciative to the Danweber family for engaging with us on this deal," township Commissioner Brian Higgins said. "They could have said no — they did still have the right to develop it the way they wanted to.
“We're buying it for a little bit more than it was appraised for, the Danwebers are selling it for a little bit less than they wanted, and that's how compromise happens.”
To fund the purchase, township officials will tap revenue from a special income tax created by a referendum in 2021 to fund land preservation.
Board members and township residents alike praised the move, hailing it as a victory against encroaching development.
“This is just another step forward for the community to keep our way of life the way it is, keep people safe, preserve people's memories," Higgins said.
"But also make sure that when we need to get from one place to another, it doesn't take us six hours to do so.”
