Parks and recreation overhaul tabled after questions about insurance, food rules and drones

Upper Macungie Township supervisors tabled Ordinance 2026-06, a proposed repeal-and-replace of Chapter 16 governing parks and recreation, after extended discussion on several provisions and public comment urging friendlier language.

Ryan, a township staff member who introduced the rewrite, told the board the ordinance would update facility-use rules, add policies for the new Community Lifestyle Center, establish non-smoking zones in youth-oriented areas and create a mobile food vending framework. A supervisor moved to adopt the ordinance, but detailed questions from board members and residents shifted the meeting toward refinement rather than immediate adoption.

A series of technical and policy concerns prompted the delay. One supervisor asked whether the ordinance’s insurance clause — which would require applicants to “maintain general liability insurance acceptable to the township” and name the township as an additional insured — would apply to routine pavilion rentals. Staff clarified the township typically requires insurance for repetitive or large-scale uses and special events, but not ordinary pavilion rentals; staff and the solicitor recommended drafting explicit subclauses listing which uses require insurance rather than using a blanket ‘‘all applicants’’ phrase.

Other points of contention included the draft’s treatment of fundraising events, which staff said they intend to treat as a distinct class of large-scale special events (examples cited included 5Ks and festivals that may require fire or police permits). Supervisors discussed defining numeric thresholds (an estimated participant count) or logistics-based criteria to distinguish routine pavilion rentals from special events that should trigger a special-events permit.

The board also debated a broad denial clause that would allow the township to refuse use of facilities if an event is ‘‘not in the best interest of the township.’’ Solicitor Andrew advised the board the township can lawfully deny uses so long as denials are not for reasons protected by law; denials tied to health, safety and welfare objectives are typically legal.

Staff said the proposed smoking restrictions are intended to align township policy with the Young Lungs at Play program and the Blue Zones initiative by prohibiting smoking and vaping around playgrounds, splash pads, ball fields and other youth-focused areas. Supervisors signaled support for that change but asked for clarity on signage and the specific outdoor areas covered.

Residents speaking during public comment called several provisions ‘‘unfriendly’’ and urged the board to avoid language that could deter use of the new lifestyle center. Harriet Blank Schwab and other commenters asked that rules about outside food and banners be clarified so that routine, nonhazardous food brought to a rented room and community signage would not be needlessly restricted.

Board members and staff agreed on the need for clearer drafting: staff will return with revised language that (per discussion) will list uses requiring insurance, clarify the threshold for special events, include narrower wording about drones (prohibiting launching, landing or operating a drone from township property rather than attempting to regulate overflying aircraft) and soften the outside-food language for room rentals while retaining safety exclusions for open flames and heating equipment.

Rather than adopt the ordinance, the board modified the motion and voted to table Ordinance 2026-06 for further revision and review at the August 6 meeting. The tabling vote was taken by voice; two supervisors were present and both supported tabling.