UPPER MACUNGIE TWP. — Two proposed housing developments that would bring 138 units to Upper Macungie were given different levels of approval Thursday by the township supervisors.
- Two housing projects with a total of more than 130 units were given forms of approval by Upper Macungie supervisors Thursday
- The state police barracks in the township will get nearly $1 million in upgrades and improvements
- The public comment part of Thursday's meeting also heard complaints of speeding
The larger development, Trexler Pointe, which was discussed at the October and March township planning commission meetings, would be at Route 100 and Weilers and Schafer Run roads.
Proposed by national home construction company D.R. Horton, it would bring 128 townhomes to the Breinigsville area.
Supervisors approved the project's final land development plan.
The other project, the Carriage East development, was given preliminary subdivision plan.
The project plans 10 buildable lots for single-family detached homes at at the currently vacant 5137 Schantz Road site, and a 600-foot extension of nearby road Surrey Court.
State police building improvements
Supervisors were told the state police building in Upper Macungie will get $973,061 for improvements to flooring, lighting, painting, furniture and public lobby upgrades and electrical work.
Assistant Township Manager and Community Development Director Kal Sostarecz Jr. said the money will be paid to commercial contractor S.J. Thomas Inc.
The building is owned by Upper Macungie Township, which leases it to state police. Supervisors on Thursday also approved a lease renewal for the site.
Local Government Open House Next Week
Coinciding with the state's Local Government Week, Upper Macungie will hold an open house for residents to learn more about the inner workings of the township.
The event, at 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, in the parking lot of the township building, will have police, fire, public works, community development, finance and other officials giving information and answering questions about their roles in the township.
The state program annually celebrates how local government throughout the state is largely grass roots and made up of ordinary citizens. It will begin Monday, April 10, and continue through Friday.
Speeding concerns a hot topic
Four residents at the meeting said during the public comment part of the meeting that they had concerns about speeding on Adams Road and other corridors in the township.
Jeff Kocker, while commending the police staff for stepping up enforcement in the wake of prior complaints, wondered whether there was a more permanent solution to the issue in the works.
Township officials said that because Adams Road is a state road, after doing preliminary studies, they can only request the state to address the issue or to do further studies to address their concerns.
Other residents emphasized the excess danger of trucks speeding, and the dangers presented by motorists excessively breaking the speed limit.
"It is crazy," Adams Road resident Jim Anderson said. "There's hidden driveways all along that road."
