Politics & Government

No Action on Subdivision of Jaindl Property

Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners will talk again about the plan to subdivide almost 600 acres of farmland at its April 5 meeting.

The Lower Macungie Board of Commissioners took no action toward approving the Spring Creek subdivision plan presented in its revised form at the March 15 meeting.

Township officials presented the plan in its latest iteration to commissioners before turning over the plan for public comment, which included several tense moments.

First to speak, Township Planner Sara Pandl described the breakdown of the 14 lots which totals just under 600 acres:

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  • Three lots -- a total of 168.3 acres -- would comprise the agricultural protection overlay, the green space.
  • Seven lots -- a total of 367.7 acres -- would make up the highway industrial component
  • Four lots -- a total of 60.5 acres -- would be dedicated to commercial development.

Township Engineer William Erdman spoke mostly about the traffic studies to which the property has been and will be subject.

During the public comment, Scott Bieber, an Upper Milford Township resident and member of the grassroots Friends for the Protection of Lower Macungie Township, exceeded his 3-minute speaking limit when he polled each of the commissioners on whether he had read all of the traffic and waiver notes.

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When Bieber began to ask a question about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Commissioner President Ron Eichenberg told Bieber his time was up and that it was time for the next person's comment.

A contentious exchange followed with Eichenberg ultimately raising his voice and Bieber still holding his ground at the podium.

"I'm not stepping down," Bieber said, to which Eichenberg again told him to sit down.

"What if I don't? Will you call the police? You might have to," Bieber said.

Ultimately, Bieber sat down.

Another member of the Friends group, Mark Spengler asked Bieber's question: What ramifications would there be -- according to the MOU -- if the board did not approve the subdivision plan.

"The MOU is not binding. There would be no ramifications," Township Solicitor Richard Somach said.


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