Lower Mac Hires Carl Best as Zoning Officer

Carl Best, 57, of Schnecksville, has been hired as Lower Macungie Township's new zoning officer as per the unanimous approval of the

Best is currently fulfilling a probationary period as he holds the title of assistant zoning officer. He takes over the job on Jan. 1, the same day , who has been the township's zoning officer for the past two decades, becomes a township commissioner.

Best's annual salary was set at $55,000.

Choosing a new zoning officer was not an easy task amidst

“It was a very intense process and very difficult to make a decision,”  Commissioner Ron Eichenberg said, referring to the 46 applications received for the position.

As Lower Macungie Township zoning officer, Best will issue building permits, guide residents with various projects to be sure they are in compliance with ordinances, go over plan reviews and be the administrator at monthly Zoning Hearing Board meetings. 

“I’m glad to be here,” Best said. “I missed the public service environment.”

He recently worked at Willow Crest Homes, Allentown, as a project site manager where he prepared federal, state and local applications and permits for new home construction.  He was responsible for the reviewing of building and site plans, attending planning, zoning and commissioner meetings, and the reviewing and preparation of cost estimates.

Prior to Willow Crest Homes, Best was employed as Salisbury Township's  director of planning, zoning and building, and as Whitehall Township's zoning and codes enforcement officer. He also worked for G. Edwin Pidcock in Allentown as a surveyor.