Planners Mull Motel 6 and Funeral Home Blueprints

Upper Macungie Township planners mulled land development plans for a Motel 6 on Blue Barn Road and a subdivision/land development plan for a funeral home on North Krocks Road during Monday night's work session.

The three-story, 50-room Motel 6 is slated for construction at 981 Blue Barn Rd., between Memorial Road and Route 22. Owner Mukesh Kadhiwala was already granted a variance by zoners concerning the minimum lot size. Fifty-six parking spaces are planned.

Planners said they would waive existing curb and sidewalk construction requirements along Blue Barn Road for one year to determine if pedestrian walkways are needed between the motel and Memorial Drive. 

Commission members noted some Upper Macungie citizens were adamant about construction of  curbs and sidewalks during zoning hearings.

Planner Paul McNemar said the area near Blue Barn Road and Memorial Drive has been the location of several pedestrian accidents in recent years.

Community Development Director Bruce Wlazelek said he would hate to build sidewalks and create the illusion of safety when those sidewalks would terminate to a gravel parking lot near the Kuhnsville Inn.

Planners also reviewed a preliminary/final subdivision plan for Monogram Funeral Home at 320 North Krocks Rd. The plan proposes a two-story, 11,413 square foot building with 53 parking spaces that meets township zoning requirements.

The site plan calls for disturbance of less than one acre of land, which does not require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit. However, disturbance of more than one acre would require such a permit.

"They've killed themselves for future expansion, because they don't want to pay for the permit," Wlazelek said. "They have 53 parking spaces and that meets the ordinance, but they'll pay for the no parking signs along Cetronia Road. We don't want overflow parking to be a problem for the neighborhood."

Planners also commented on a two-phase land development sketch plan for an existing dwelling at 345 Route 100. The plan, proposed by Ruhi Subzposh, D.D.S., would convert the dwelling into a dentist's office.

The second phase includes construction of an 11,700 square foot, three-story building with a parking lot and loading area.

Commission members said the first phase can be completed without land development approval as the building is below the threshold for a site plan review.

Planners say the second phase isn't well thought out as far as traffic access to Route 100 and fire truck access is concerned.

Commission members also mulled a lot consolidation and land development planned request from Lehigh Valley Animal Hospital at 6350 W. Tilghman St. Four written waivers will be required for that plan to move forward.

The Planning Commission will formally meet Wednesday to review and rule on all of the above matters.