Topgolf venue receives development recommendation in Lower Macungie
The proposed Topgolf venue for Lower Macungie Township received a recommendation for development Tuesday, continuing its brisk pace for approval and a 2025 opening after a brief delay last fall.
The township planning commission unanimously backed the project during its regular meeting. The planning commission considered the Topgolf plan in November, but voted to take more time to review it.
Todd Waldo, director of real estate development for Topgolf, ensured that lighting at the facility — which plans to be open until at least midnight daily — would be allowed outdoors.
Noting that one of the conditions for approval was that “all on-site lighting shall be dark-sky compliant and no lighting shall be directed towards the abutting properties,” he sought to clarify that outfield lighting, which would illuminate the Topgolf driving range, would be exempt. The township agreed.
Dark-sky fixtures adhere to efforts to reduce light pollution.
“Topgolf intends to be a good corporate citizen and a good neighbor,” Waldo said, adding that the venue can change the lighting intensity as necessary.
No one from the public commented on the project.
On Tuesday before the meeting, developer Luke Jaindl reaffirmed the plan was to open in 2025.
“It’s been great working with the township,” he said.
Topgolf would be open 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to midnight for the remainder of the week.
The Lehigh Valley Town Center that will include Topgolf is to be built on land bordered by Schantz Road, Interstate 78 and Route 222. It would also include a potential highend boutique grocery store, 550 apartment units across four buildings, a 100-room hotel, 70,000 square feet of office space, 65,000 square feet of medical office space, 170,000 square feet of retail space, a 20,000-square-foot restaurant, a 60,000-square-foot recreation building and a six-story parking garage.
Jaindl said it was still too early to announce any new features or businesses for the town center, but that the developers were “moving in the right direction with some good organizations.”