Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Zoning Hearing Board approved two applications: a dimensional variance for Jandl Partners LP to convert a historic 1909 mansion at 1421-1425 Hamilton Street into 10 apartments with three undersized units (101, 301, 303), and a special exception for Paulino Segundo Tejada at 118 Saint John Street to expand a family childcare home to a group childcare home, conditioned on demonstrating three code-compliant parking spaces.
Key Decisions (2)
Dimensional Variance for Apartment Conversion at 1421-1425 Hamilton Street
Jandl Partners LP received approval to convert a historic 1909 Taylor House mansion into 10 apartment units. Three units require dimensional variances: Unit 101 (404 sq ft studio, 500 required), Unit 301 (532 sq ft two-bedroom, 700 required), and Unit 303 (383 sq ft one-bedroom, 500 required). The remaining seven units exceed minimum requirements, with some substantially oversized (Unit 102 at 1,185 sq ft). The property has been vacant since 2015 and includes an existing parking lot requiring no parking relief.
Special Exception for Group Childcare Home at 118 Saint John Street
Paulino Segundo Tejada received approval to expand an existing family childcare home (6 children) to a group childcare home at 118 Saint John Street. The applicant and wife have operated the family childcare since February 2021. Expansion will add one outside employee to the wife who currently operates alone. Hours remain Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
Development Activity (2)
Taylor House Apartment Conversion
Conversion of historic 1909 mansion to 10 apartment units: 4 studios, 4 one-bedrooms, 2 two-bedrooms. Building has been vacant since 2015. Current owner updated HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. Property includes existing parking lot. Architect: Artifact Incorporated of Bethlehem. Listing broker: Feinberg Real Estate Advisors.
Group Childcare Home Expansion
Expansion from family childcare (6 children) to group childcare home. Single-family residence with 29.5-foot lot width. Adding one outside employee. Crossover permit approved February 24 for 8-foot extension to create third parking space.
Market Signals (3)
Housing Demand
Studios under 500 square feet are successfully occupied in Lehigh Valley multifamily projects including Simone Silk Mill (350 sq ft studios), Larose Silk Mill (400-450 sq ft), and Safety Product Building (400 sq ft), indicating strong demand for smaller affordable units.
Commercial Demand
Office market weakness post-COVID made residential conversion more feasible than office use for the Hamilton Street property, with multiple residential conversion inquiries during marketing versus limited office interest due to project scale.
Housing Demand
Market requires variety of housing offerings with studios particularly suited for young professionals in first jobs, especially those working in hospital and medical industries.