Allentown Zoning Decisions: June 2026

In June 2026, Allentown held 10 public meetings covering zoning matters. 10 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 7 approved (88% approval rate), 1 denied, 2 deferred. Activity was up 89% compared to May (228 activity items across 6 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Postponement of 2 Allen Street West Residences and 2401 Emmaus Avenue data center

Deferred.

Two land development items were postponed to future dates with no presentation or deliberation: the 2 Allen Street West Residences resubmission, and the 2401 Emmaus Avenue data center. No meeting date set; applicants are evaluating community feedback. Commission meets second Tuesday of each month at 12:15.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Bill 52 — Data Center Zoning Amendments

Deferred.

Amends Bill 20 data center ordinance: setback from sensitive receptors raised from 200 to 500 feet; IG (general industrial) district removed so data centers permitted only in IM (heavy industrial) as a special exception use with 8-acre minimum; adds decommissioning standards with bond/letter of credit, enhanced noise standards, third-party independent verification, and additional public-notice/website requirements. Forwarded to a future regular council meeting by unanimous voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special exception adaptive reuse at 322-324 North 7th Street / 315-317 North Hall Street

Approved.

Richard Bauer Sr. granted special exception to convert 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. Motion to approve as meeting criteria in 660.115.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Two dimensional variances for residential development at 2300 Hanover Avenue

Approved.

Bax LLC / Dwayne Wagner granted two dimensional variances: (1) relief from 660-18K driveway access requirement (access required from C-type street or alley, none abuts the property) to allow access off North Juanita Street; and (2) relief from 660.22-H roof type requirement (flat/parapet roofs required in GXC zone) to allow pitched roofs. Project is a unified development bisected by Allentown/Bethlehem boundary, 307+ units total, seven buildings, two buildings/100 units on the Allentown side. Use is permitted.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special exception group childcare home at 1213/1217 Highland Street

Approved.

Marilyn Grullon granted special exception for a group childcare home (7 to 12 children) with on-street pickup/drop-off on Highland Street. Owner-caregiver plus up to two non-resident employees. Three off-street parking spaces existing. Two objectors (Ernest Neidig and Donna Cassis, both 1222 West Highland Street) raised traffic, noise, and parking concerns.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Municipal Curative Amendment for data centers

Denied.

Resolution initiating a municipal curative amendment review, declaring the Allentown zoning ordinance substantially invalid for not providing for data centers, and halting all data center zoning applications/approvals for up to 180 days. Failed, with Gerlach and Santos voting yes; Bender, Mota, Pungo, and Napoli voting no.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Conditional final plan approval for 401-411 Harrison Street subdivision

Approved.

Six townhouse units on currently vacant floodplain land at 401-411 Harrison Street (rear on Pear Street, side on South 4th Street) for Sundew Enterprises. Granted conditional final approval based on staff report and review comment letter. Voice vote, no opposition stated.

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 use table 660-4 and section 660-38, with definitions added in Article 14 (sections 660-135, 660-149) for data center, data center accessory use, and renewable energy. Permits data centers as special exception use in IG and IM districts with 200-foot minimum setback, requires sound studies, environmental review, e-waste/decommissioning plans, and Zoning Hearing Board hearing. Passed with Gerlach and Santos voting no.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 10 recorded zoning decisions. See all Allentown meetings →

Zoning Changes

• IG → IM, 8-acre minimum at Citywide — IM (industrial manufacturing/heavy industrial) and IG (general industrial) districts, Allentown
• Zoning change at IG and IM industrial districts, 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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