Allentown Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Allentown held 6 public meetings covering zoning matters. 8 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 6 approved (100% approval rate), 2 deferred. Activity was up 10% compared to April (208 activity items across 8 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Special use to convert repair garage to hair salon at 436 North 2nd Street

Deferred.

Special use application of Judith Micketts (Judy)/Rubarkis Rodriguez de Tejeda (tenant applicant) to convert a vacant auto repair garage to a hair salon (356 sq ft of a 1,530 sq ft building) at 436 North 2nd Street. The zoning supervisor raised concerns that field observations suggested an active auto repair use and a possible dwelling unit not matching permits on file (N1 zoning); tenant Orlando Tejeda testified he uses the space for graphic design and social media video, plus vehicle parking. The Board continued the matter at the applicant's expense ($400) to allow a site inspection and gather accurate information on the pattern of use. Passed by unanimous voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

51 North Front Street RS Residences mixed-use development

Approved.

Conditional preliminary/final approval of a seven-story mixed-use building with 210 dwelling units (43 studios, 115 one-bedrooms, 47 two-bedrooms, 5 three-bedrooms), 271 interior parking spaces, 4,500 sq ft retail, on Riverside Drive at North Front Street adjacent to the America on Wheels museum. Building under 80 feet. Project first heard March 10, 2026 and tabled. Approved by unanimous voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

246 Lehigh Street Little Lehigh Phase Two affordable housing

Approved.

Conditional preliminary/final approval of a subdivision into two lots and construction of two affordable housing multi-family apartment buildings (35 units: 4 one-bedroom, 10 two-bedroom, 17 three-bedroom, 4 four-bedroom), 27 parking spaces, in the GXC zone. Restricted to 80% AMI. Developer is Allentown Housing Authority partnering with Francis Vargas. Approved by unanimous voice vote with two prior waivers granted (parkland dedication and streetscape).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

560 Business Park Lane industrial storage building

Approved.

Conditional preliminary/final approval of a one-story, 9,000 sq ft workshop/warehouse storage building with associated parking (eight spaces, one ADA) and site improvements in the IG Industrial General zone. Applicant Meadowbrook Royalty LLC. Owner-occupied storage of parts/materials, one employee expected. Approved by unanimous voice vote subject to city comments.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Variances for 44-unit apartment building at 405 West Walnut Street

Approved.

A&R Development Company sought two dimensional variances for a seven-story, 44-unit apartment building with 30 on-site parking spaces on a vacant infill lot at 405 West Walnut Street (corner of West Walnut and South 4th Street). The Board approved a variance for the clear sight triangle (to permit a support pillar/beam supporting the second floor) and made a favorable interpretation that the steep slopes on the site are not regulated by the ordinance because they were manmade when South 4th Street was built. Passed by unanimous voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special exception to convert office to dwelling at 1453 Linden Street

Approved.

Ram Dass Agarwal, owner, sought a special exception to convert an existing vacant first-floor commercial/office space (922 sq ft) into one dwelling unit at 1453 Linden Street (intersection of 15th and Linden). The property has an existing second/third floor apartment (1,423 sq ft) and three existing parking spaces. Located in a medium-high density residential district with TNDO overlay. Zoning office records showed last office use around 2006, established 1974 as medical office. The Board found it met the special exception requirements under section 660-84 and approved by unanimous voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Bill 33 - Vacant and At-Risk Property Ordinance

Deferred.

Repeals Chapter 135 (abandoned real property blight) in its entirety and adopts Chapter 611 establishing a vacant and at-risk property registry with registration fees, inspections, contact information, and lighting requirements. Referred to a future CED meeting (skipping May 20, targeting first June council meeting) pending amendments on definition clarity, hardship provisions, and commercial property standards.

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: 76 instances
• commercial: 37 instances
• residential: 28 instances
• industrial: 17 instances
• setback: 13 instances

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