Allentown Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Allentown held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. Of 4 zoning decisions with a clear outcome this month, 4 were approved (100% approval rate). 1 decision was deferred. Activity was down 65% compared to April (208 activity items across 8 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Hair salon special use application at 436 N 2nd St.

Deferred.

Judith McKitts' application to convert a vacant repair garage to a 356 sq ft hair salon was continued at applicant's expense ($400). The zoning office observed conflicting uses including possible auto repair activity, vehicle storage by tenant Orlando Tejeda, and graphic design operations. The board and zoning supervisor determined insufficient information existed about current uses and proposed layout to make a decision.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Variances for 44-unit apartment building at 405 W Walnut St.

Approved.

A&R Development Company (equitable owner Northport Properties LLC) received approval for two variances for a 7-story, 44-unit apartment building with 30 parking spaces. The board granted a favorable interpretation that steep slopes (17.2% disturbance of 35%+ grade areas) are not regulated as they were manmade, and approved a dimensional variance for a structural support column in the clear site triangle at South 4th and Walnut St. intersection. The property is in the residential office mix downtown zoning district.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special exception for residential conversion at 1453 Linden St.

Approved.

Ram Dass Agarwal received special exception approval to convert a vacant first-floor commercial space (922 sq ft) to one dwelling unit at 1453 Linden St. The property already has a 1,423 sq ft apartment on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Three existing parking spaces meet ordinance requirements. The commercial space has been vacant for approximately 6-7 years under current ownership, with last documented office use around 2006.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Consent Agenda - Sewage Planning Modules and Historic District Certificate

Approved.

Council unanimously approved four consent agenda items: Certificate of Appropriateness for work at 334 North 9th Street in the Historic District (R58), sewage planning module for 1935 South 5th Street (R59), sewage planning module for South Hall St. Apartments (R60), and sewage planning module for Bear Steps Management LLC at 728 Union Blvd (R61).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Position Upgrades in Compliance and Public Works (Bill 35)

Approved.

Upgraded part-time clerk three in Office of Compliance from M8 to administrative assistant at S7 pay grade. Upgraded two part-time MW1 custodial positions in building maintenance to full-time positions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 24 instances
• commercial: 14 instances
• variance: 9 instances
• residential: 8 instances
• subdivision: 1 instance

What to Watch

• Variance mentions were up 80% from April.

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