Zoning Hearing Board, July 13, 2026
Approves Site triangle relief for mixed-use tower at South 9th and Walnut Streets, unanimous
What happened
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board approved three of four special exception/variance applications on July 13, 2026. The board approved a special exception to relocate Roberto Clemente Charter School's K-6 elementary campus to a 44,000 sq ft building at 2268 South 12th Street (Exc…
- Jurisdiction
- Allentown, PA
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- July 13, 2026
- Decisions
- 4 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, unanimous
Projects in this meeting (2)
Each is its own project; some span multiple hearingsSouth John Childcare Center
ApprovedRoberto Clemente Charter School
ApprovedFree sample: decision 1 of 4
Special exception for Roberto Clemente Charter School at 2268 South 12th Street
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.
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board approved three of four special exception/variance applications on July 13, 2026. The board approved a special exception to relocate Roberto Clemente Charter School's K-6 elementary campus to a 44,000 sq ft building at 2268 South 12th Street (Exc…
Key Decisions (4)
Special exception for Roberto Clemente Charter School at 2268 South 12th Street
Site triangle relief for mixed-use tower at South 9th and Walnut Streets
Appeal of Primo's Properties at 552 North 10th Street
Special exception for childcare center at 725-731 South John Street
Development Activity (3)
Roberto Clemente Charter School elementary relocation
Other
Mixed-use tower at South 9th and Walnut
Mixed-Use
Vida Especial Care Academy childcare center
Other
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
A 37-story, ~208-unit mixed-use residential tower advancing after ~10 years…
Commercial Demand
The Omran project shifted its programming from 70% office/30% residential…
Sentiment
Board members noted the old zoning ordinance's clear sight triangle…
Commercial Demand
New childcare center demand cited as underserved in Allentown, with…
Who Spoke (18)
On the record: the chair, 2 board members, the clerk, 3 attorneys, the applicant, and 7 witnesses.
Agenda scorecard
Our pre-meeting forecast, graded against the recorded voteZoneWire called 1 of 1 land-use forecast on this agenda.
This season: 1 of 1 (100%) forecasts called in this county.
2. A-2026-00181 2268 S 12th St conditional use permit
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