Allentown Zoning Decisions: June 2026

In June 2026, Allentown held 10 public meetings covering zoning matters. 8 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 6 approved (86% approval rate), 1 denied, 1 deferred. Activity was up 88% compared to May (229 activity items across 6 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Special exception for adaptive reuse at 322-324 North 7th Street

Approved.

Special use/exception application of Richard Bauer, Sr. to adaptively reuse an existing warehouse building into 6 apartments, with parking on adjacent lot at 319 North Hall. Existing 7th Street buildings contain six 3-bedroom apartments, six 2-bedroom apartments, and two storefronts. Planning Commission recommended approval. Motion carried on voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Two dimensional variances for apartment development at 2300 Hanover Avenue

Approved.

Appeal of Bax LLC seeking two dimensional variances for a unified apartment development straddling Allentown and Bethlehem: (1) relief from Section 660-22H to allow pitched roofs instead of required flat/parapet roofs, and (2) relief from Section 660-18K driveway access to allow access on North Juanita Street (an A-type street) since no C-type street abuts the property. Development is 7 buildings, over 307 units total, with 2 buildings and 100 units on the Allentown side. Developer/owner represented by Dwayne Wagner; engineer Kevin Fruck of Cornerstone Consulting; attorney Jim Preston. Five objectors spoke. Motion carried on voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special exception for group childcare home at 1213-1217 Highland Street

Approved.

Appeal and special use/exception application of Marilyn Grullon to operate a group childcare home (7 to 12 children) at 1213, 1217 Highland Street, using two public street parking spaces on Highland Street for pickup/drop-off and the driveway for owner/employees. Owner plus up to two non-resident employees. Two objectors (Ernest Neidig and Donna Cassis) spoke citing traffic and noise concerns. Motion carried on voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Municipal curative amendment for data centers (MCA)

Denied.

Resolution initiating a municipal curative amendment review declaring the city's zoning ordinance substantially invalid because it does not provide for data centers, and imposing a 180-day pause on acceptance or consideration of any data center zoning permit or approval applications pursuant to Section 609.2 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Proposed by Councilmember Gerlach. Failed with Gerlach and Santos voting yes; Bender, Mota, Pungo, and Napoli voting no.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Postponement of 2401 Emmaus Avenue data center

Deferred.

The 2401 Emmaus Avenue data center project has been postponed to a future date. No presentation or deliberation occurred; public comment was allowed.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Conditional final plan approval at 401-411 Harrison Street

Approved.

Major land development and subdivision for construction of six townhouse units on currently vacant land in a floodplain, by Sundew Enterprises. The project previously received preliminary plan approval with conditions on November 11, 2025. Conditional final approval granted by unanimous voice vote. Neighbors raised extensive concerns about flooding, sewer backups, and parking. Staff remains supportive of the project.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Bill 52 - Data Center Zoning Amendments

Approved.

Amends the data center zoning ordinance passed as Bill 20 last week. Key changes: setback from sensitive receptors increased from 200 feet to 500 feet; IG (general/light industrial) zoning district removed as a special exception use, leaving only IM (industrial manufacturing/heavy industrial); adds decommissioning standards with a bond or letter of credit financial guarantee; adds a certificate-of-occupancy stage noise checkpoint; requires third-party independent verification of studies; adds public meeting/neighborhood meeting and project website notice requirements. 8-acre minimum for IG referenced. Data centers remain a special exception use decided by the Zoning Hearing Board. Forwarded to a future full council meeting by voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Bill 20 - Data center zoning ordinance amendment

Approved.

Amends Chapter 660 zoning to add data center use category to the use table and Section 660-38 manufacturing/industry group, and adds definitions for data center, data center accessory use, and renewable energy. Creates data centers as a special exception use permitted in IG and IM districts with a 200-foot setback, requiring Zoning Hearing Board approval, environmental review, sound study, and e-waste/decommissioning plan. Approximately 13-38 parcels affected (less than.1% of Allentown's ~34,000 parcels). Passed with Gerlach and Santos voting no. Council committed to follow-up amendments to strengthen setback (potentially to 500 feet) and noise ordinance.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• Zoning change, 8 acre minimum at Citywide - IM (industrial manufacturing) district
• Zoning change, approximately 13 to 38 parcels acres at IG and IM zoning districts, Allentown (City of Allentown)

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 219 instances
• setback: 46 instances
• industrial: 30 instances
• residential: 28 instances
• land use: 16 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 188% from May.
• Setback came up 254% more often than May.
• Industrial saw 76% more mentions month-over-month.
• Land use is new this month with 16 mentions, not present in May.

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