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Planning commission recommends approval of Mountain Road subdivision that preserves roughly 92 acres
Summary
The commission recommended approval (vote recorded as 5 ayes) of a two‑parcel minor subdivision that places conservation easements on approximately 92 acres while allowing limited new residential lots; the motion was made and seconded on the record though the transcript does not name the mover or seconder.
The Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission on May 13 voted to recommend approval of a minor subdivision for properties on Mountain Road that would preserve roughly 92 acres under conservation easement while creating a small number of residential lots.
Staff described the proposal as two parcels: Parcel B (about 88.1 acres on the south side of Mountain Road) would be subdivided into a residential lot and a non‑building lot with an approximately 75.14‑acre preservation easement; Parcel A (about 21.68 acres on the north side) would be subdivided into two residential lots and a non‑building lot with an approximately 17.24‑acre preservation easement. Staff recommended approval, saying the conservation of approximately 92 acres is a benefit to the township and consistent with the rural zoning district.
The applicant (identified in the record as Mr. Shankle) said the south parcel is enrolled in Act 319 preservation requirements and that parcel configuration reflects those program constraints. He said one of the north‑side lots is intended for immediate construction by a family member; the other is being held for a future building opportunity. The applicant also said he is open to working with the township on future trails across the preserved land.
A commissioner asked who will hold the preservation easement and whether ownership transfers; the applicant and staff clarified the owner will retain title to the preserved land but will record a preservation easement that restricts development in perpetuity and that the owner intends to place the preserved acreage into a trust or gift it to a land trust in the future.
The record shows a motion to recommend approval was made and seconded and that the commission voted in favor (recorded as five 'ayes'). The transcript does not identify the individual who moved or seconded by name in the public record. The approval includes waivers and deferrals noted in the staff recommendation and a requirement that outstanding review comments be addressed before board consideration.
Next steps: the planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the board of township commissioners for final action; outstanding engineering and permit items (including a PaDOT driveway/HOP question) will be resolved before that board review.
