LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Plans for a 318-unit apartment complex with contiguous commercial space and more are making their way through the municipal pipeline.
Lower Macungie Township commissioners reviewed The Shoppes at Hamilton project plans at their Monday workshop.
Set to be built at 617 N. Krocks Road, the development would include 318 apartments spread across 10 three-story buildings, along with a 160-room, 88,000-square-foot hotel nearby.
There also would be 19,800 square feet of retail, dining or other commercial space, a clubhouse, a pool, a dog run and court areas for various sports.
Throughout the site, a large, existing trail network would provide access from the back of the apartment complex area to the retail center, looping around back to a stormwater management facility intended specifically for the development.
Lower Macungie’s planning commission this month granted conditional approval for the project.
Township Planner Nathan Jones stated a few important details have come up with the project, including PPL approval granted for use of infrastructure and plantings in a large easement.
Also, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System is under review.
Architectural designs for the project all currently fall in line with township guidelines, officials said.
Slight issues, pedestrian safety
Developers currently plan to create a sizable landscaping element, including a colony of sycamore trees to match what is found nearby at Hamilton Boulevard.
Township Engineer Bryan McAdams said a state Transportation Department review for the southernmost access point to the property, which had previously featured a right-in, right-out access near Route 222, had been a slight issue.
"We just felt that it's maybe not what the applicant would prefer, but PennDOT is comfortable with it."Lower Macungie Township engineer Bryan McAdams
“And so the right-in effectively went away," McAdams said. "What the plan shows is a right-out only, and we were comfortable enough with that.
"We just felt that it's maybe not what the applicant would prefer, but PennDOT is comfortable with it."
The northern part of the property still will feature a right-in, right-out access point, along with a full-access intersection and new traffic signals.
Traffic impact on pedestrian safety has been a prime focus for the development.
The township planning commission and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission raised concerns over residents’ access to nearby stores and bus stops near a busy and widespread intersection.
According to the plans, the project would be split into two phases. The bulk of the project will be built out in the first part, with additional apartments added in the second part.
