The Lower Mac Board of Commissioners meet the first and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7pm in the township building.

Here is a link to the agenda with detail.

During announcements and presentations, we start things off with an update tonight from the Library Board. We will also have a construction update.  I had a chance to briefly tour the facility the other day. Both the new gym and the library expansion have taken form. The project is on budget and on time.

Hearings and Approvals.
Sewer Planning Module
We have one sewer planning module approval for the new Body Elite gym coming to Hamilton Blvd. What’s a sewer planning module you ask? The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) requires Municipalities to develop and implement official plans in order to address sewage disposal with the intention of correcting existing problems and preventing future problems. Each time a new development is proposed the Municipality is required by state law to revise this official plan through a process referred to as a “Sewage Facilities Planning Module”.

Lot line adjustment
We have a minor lot line adjustment for a residential property on Fish Hatchery Rd.

Final Plan Approval for Stone Hill Meadows.
This item is final approval for phase 2 of this conservation cluster design development. Phase 1 is currently being built on Gehman Rd. The project is resulting in 70% of the entire parcel being permanently preserved including a large area to be reforested. The mantra I always speak to that reflects the mindset of our board is that as a township our goal is to preserve what we can, where we can – and where we can’t demand highest quality. In this case, preservation wasn’t an option so we worked with the developer to allow residential development but at the same time preserve a substantial chunk of the property via permanent preservation easements. In addition to the large reforested section, the public open space will be managed natural areas and public walking paths. Another big win with this development was that none of the new roads will be township liabilities. They will be maintained privately. This project has been in the pipeline for over 3 years and this is the final approval for the final phase. This is an example of when we can’t preserve, we work towards having projects we can be proud of.

Non-agenda items
Speaking of the above mantra of preserve where and when we can….I wanted to note:

Farmland preservation update
On September 28th, we finalize the acquisition of 185 acres of farmland located at Brookside Rd. and Sauerkraut Ln. Next, we’ll apply the property for permanent protection through the County. Once complete, the land can never be developed. 300 homes could have been built, but after the 28th it will remain farmland forever. A full build-out had we not preserved would have significantly strained the School district, caused severe traffic issues and hurt efforts to keep taxes low.

I want to thank the County Farmland Preservation Board and the Wildlands Conservancy for their help with this important preservation win.