ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A proposal to build a seven-building apartment complex on the city's East Side drew ire from neighbors but earned planning officials’ approval Tuesday.
Developer Manny Makhoul wants to put 180 housing units on an undeveloped lot north of East Hamilton Street that covers about 17 acres.
Five two-and-a-half-story buildings would have 30 apartments each, while a sixth would have 20 units; a seventh, three-story building would feature 10 apartments and a sales office, according to plans presented by Joe Rentko of Black Forest Engineering
He agreed to work with city staff to address many of the commission’s concerns that included calls for wider sidewalks, a bike lane and a less monotonous color scheme for apartment buildings.
“A commitment is great, but I think given the magnitude of this project … we need to get something on paper."Christian Brown, Allentown City Planning Commission chairman
But Rentko and Makhoul must return to iron out details about including recreation space on the property and their plan to cut through rock on the site to create suitable space for apartment buildings and parking lots.
Christian Brown, who chairs the planning commission, said he appreciated Rentko’s verbal commitments but asked him to formalize some of them before the next meeting.
“A commitment is great, but I think given the magnitude of this project … we need to get something on paper,” he said.
The project also must be reviewed by Allentown’s Shade Tree Commission. Makhoul has been criticized for axing swaths of trees on the property before securing all approvals.
Current plans call for 300 new trees, including almost 250 to atone “for the sins of cutting down the forest that was there,” Rentko said.
'Rough project'
Heather Schmidt, a homeowner in the 800 block of East Hamilton Street, criticized the proposal and said it “will not work” because the area is predominantly made up of single-family homes.
“Apartments? No, thank you,” she said.
Adding 180 units to the East Side will not “alleviate the housing crisis,” she said; it will “cause this side of town to regress as other parts of the city have by decreasing property values and reducing the beautiful scenery we’ve come to enjoy.”
She urged the planning commission to reject Makhoul’s bid to build an apartment complex.
“I know it's a rough project because some of the neighbors don't like it, but we're doing our best to try to accommodate everybody here."Joe Rentko, Black Forest Engineering
But the site is zoned for up to 180 housing units, so Allentown planning officials had no authority to deny the project over density concerns.
Rentko acknowledged some criticisms of the plans.
“I know it's a rough project because some of the neighbors don't like it, but we're doing our best to try to accommodate everybody here,” he said.
Makhoul initially sought final approval for his plans but agreed to accept a preliminary approval, which locks in the project’s layout and allows it to keep moving forward.
The planning commission in March tabled the project and told Makhoul to rethink his plan to put a gate around the site.
Makhoul has said he played on the East Turner Street property as a kid.
