Allentown Zoning Decisions: July 2026

In July 2026, Allentown held 8 public meetings covering zoning matters. 9 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 8 approved (100% approval rate), 1 deferred. Activity was down 38% compared to June (431 activity items across 10 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Special exception for Roberto Clemente Charter School at 2268 South 12th Street

Approved.

Special use/special exception application of Exchange 32 LLC to relocate Roberto Clemente Charter School's elementary campus into an existing ~44,000 sq ft building on a 2.2-acre lot in the GX-C zoning district. Proposed ~370 students, ~50 staff, 173 parking spaces (27 required), off-street bus and parent drop-off. School permitted by special exception; approved by voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Data center land development at 2401 West Emmaus Avenue (tabled)

Deferred.

Proposal to retrofit an existing warehouse into a 75-80 megawatt data center, construct a 23,342 sq ft substation enclosure, convert truck loading docks to a generator yard with 32 (reduced from 36) tier four backup generators, 42 rooftop chillers, closed-loop cooling using ~1,500 gallons/day potable water, and 64-66 employees. Located in the IG (formerly I-3) Industrial General Zone. Applicant Quantum Development Group withdrew its Friday resubmission, granted a 90-day MPC extension, and expects to return in September. No decision made; item tabled on a voice vote. Motion to table by Craig, seconded by Eric.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

West Residence major land development at 216 Allen Street

Approved.

Conditional preliminary/final plan approval granted for a seven-story mixed-use building with 200 dwelling units (50 studios, 107 one-bedrooms, 43 two-bedrooms) and retail, with 200-240 parking spaces, at 216 Allen Street / 117 Liberty Street. Applicant architect Carlos Tobar representing Urban Residencia. First heard March 10, 2026 and tabled. Commissioner Leslie recused. Steep slope variance/waiver issue was resolved before the meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Special exception for childcare center at 725-731 South John Street

Approved.

Special exception application of Henniveth Calderon Calcano to operate Vida Especial Care Academy childcare center (up to 72 children, 6 required parking spaces plus drop-off) in the lower level of Fountain of Life Church at 725-731 South John Street. Parking on adjacent church-owned lot across Chester Street (36 spaces). Hours 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday. Approved by voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Bill 56 - Noise ordinance amendment (Chapter 400)

Approved.

Ordinance amending the noise ordinance to (1) add an independent compliance and verification system requiring a property owner to pay for a third-party noise assessment and bring back a report with compliance recommendations, and (2) add a DBC-versus-DBA differential standard where a difference of more than 15 decibels indicates a low-frequency hum. Applies to all continuously operating noise sources including existing uses; new 24-7/continuous uses must do pre- and post-sound studies. AEDC raised concerns about burdens on lawfully existing industrial uses (e.g. a frozen food storage facility running a continuous generator). Discussion of possible exemption for existing uses and a definition of 'continuous use'. Moved forward to the regular council meeting on a voice vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Bill 33 - Vacant and At-Risk Property ordinance (amendments)

Approved.

Amendments to Bill 33 adopted 7-0. Amendments remove all references to at-risk properties, revise definitions of occupied/vacant (period of more than 90 continuous days), waive fees for pre-sale compliant properties, revise vacant storefront threshold from 60 to 90 days, add administrative guidelines on indicators of vacancy, provide appeal to Blighted Property Review Committee or Lehigh County Court, and set residential vacant property registration fee at $150 (from $200) and commercial at $300.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Bill 33 - Vacant and At-Risk Property ordinance (final passage)

Approved.

Amends Chapter 135, abandoned real property/blight, in its entirety, and adopts Chapter 611, vacant and at-risk property. Establishes a vacant property registry requiring owners of properties vacant more than 90 days to register within 15 days; sets fees ($150 residential, $300 commercial as amended) with waivers for pre-sale compliant properties; provides for inspections, public nuisance declarations, and appeals. Passed with amendments.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Advisory recommendation on Bill 52 data center zoning amendments

Approved.

Planning Commission voted to forward Bill 52 favorably to City Council as an advisory recommendation. Bill 52 amends the city's first data center regulation (Bill 20): removes the special exception use in the IG zoning district (retained only in IM), increases the sensitive-receptor setback from residential/sensitive uses from 200 feet to 500 feet, requires applicant-run public meetings and a project website, adds full-spectrum noise/vibration studies and third-party acoustical consultants, adds a decommissioning requirement with a renewable security bond, and applies to high-intensity industrial and recycling uses over 50,000 sq ft with an eight-acre minimum. Commission has no authority to adopt/approve/deny; this is advisory only.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 9 recorded zoning decisions. See all Allentown meetings →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 65 instances
• residential: 53 instances
• industrial: 42 instances
• commercial: 28 instances
• land use: 18 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 89% from June.
• Commercial came up 300% more often than June.

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