- Topgolf and the Lehigh Valley Town Center were discussed at Tuesday's Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission meeting
- Developer representatives introduced requests for waivers related to specific planned road uses
- The project is continuing through the planning process, where it will come before the board again for further approval for the Topgolf and mixed use portions
LOWER MACUNGIE TWP, Pa. — The proposed 59-acre Lehigh Valley Town Center and Topgolf project planned at Shantz and Cedarbrook roads came before the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission for the first time Tuesday.
Developers are seeking waivers related to the access drive off Cedarbrook Road and stormwater management work needed to accommodate the Topgolf facility as the project moves through the design phase.
The changes are needed because of sloping near the proposed Topgolf building and the need to realign and make other changes to Cedar Brook Road.
Developers also asked to rename a proposed extension to the Cedar Brook Road to Kressler Road extension to avoid confusion, and to create a new intersection.
Planners on Tuesday voted in a procedural motion to send the requests for the project, approved by township commissioners in August, to be further reviewed by administration.
Township's Director of Planning and Community Development Nathan Jones said the township and engineers continue to meet and have not run into major issues as land development and design plans get refined.
There have been no major conflicts aside from technical engineering items that require addressing, Jones said.
"There's been a lot of work going on behind the scenes, given the size and scale of the project to make sure that items are addressed," he said.
"When the township engineer is satisfied with all of our technical items, we'll be coming right back, they'll be coming right back when it's actually time to consider the plans for commission."
Final approval coming
Design and land development plans remain in development for the Jaindl-led residential, retail and entertainment project.
The project on former industrial space at 361 Schantz Road and 4511 Cedarbrook Road gained formal approval for conditional use in August. The property is nearby to easy access from U.S. Route 222 and interstates 476 and 78.
Project engineer John McRoberts called the waivers "minor technical items" and said about a dozen outside agency permits and approvals are needed and being pursued by developers.
"We'll work with the township engineer, and then at some point will, will come back to the planning commission, and then the commissioners for seeking approval," McRoberts said.
Most recent township documents list that the Topgolf facilities will feature 72 bays in a two-story, 20,460-square-foot building, with hours of 9 a.m. to midnight Sundays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
It also lists 11.5 acres of parking throughout the project, including one electric charging station per 75 spaces. A six-story standalone parking garage is planned.
Current plans expect 550 apartment units across four six-story buildings, a 100-room hotel, 70,000 square feet of office space, 65,000 square feet of medical office space and a 12,500-square-foot grocery store.
Also, 170,000 square feet of retail space, a 20,000 square foot restaurant and 60,000 square feet of a commercial recreation building.
A 25-foot planted buffer will separate the project from nearby cemeteries on Cedarbrook Road.
Developers at the meeting said they had no further announcements for the public at this time regarding the project or tenants, but noted that current plans meet the many conditions set forth by the township upon conditional use approval.
