BOC Approves Improvements to Spring Creek Development Plan

Unlike the nights that Lower Macungie Commissioners faced standing-room-only crowds and angry accusations, the township's five elected officials on Thursday unanimously and without fanfare approved the last piece David Jaindl's plan to develop about 700 acres of farmland.

The settlement between Jaindl and the Appellants—the six people who were named in the almost three-year battle to prevent any development on the land—was approved at the April 4 meeting.

Spring Creek Properties Subdivision Improvement Preliminary Agreement—version 8—which was approved Thursday, essentially approves Jaindl's "Plan B," which Jaindl, the Appellants and the board of commissioners agreed to after three years of often-bitter litigation.

Specifially the Subdivision Improvement Pre.iminary Agreement mentions that Sauerkraut Lane west of Spring Creek Road will be a private road large enough to accommodate emergency vehicles and truck traffic.

It calls for the vacation of portions of Smith and Ruth lanes, meaning they cease to be public roads, and the creation of cul de sacs at certain points along those roads.

And it provides for the installation of berms and buffers both where they have already been indicated as needed and where they might be needed in the future.

The document is meant to protect the BOC and any future boards, explained Township Solicitor Richard Somach.

It is also meant to "clarify and memorialize" the details of the compromises that both the Appellantsand David Jaindl made.

Developers, as they buy pieces of this land to develop homes or commercial establishments or warehouses, will be bound by the terms as they apply to their particular uses.

Though the Appellants did not succeed in completely stopping the development, all parties agree that the second generation of plans for the site, are better than the original ones.

There was no public comment. Neither Jaindl nor any of the Appellants attended the meeting.