ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Community centers in Allentown no longer will have to worry about the age of those they’re feeding.
Council by a 6-1 vote Wednesday amended the city zoning ordinance to eliminate a provision that let centers feed only senior citizens.
Councilman Ed Zucal was the lone vote against changing Allentown’s definition of a community center.
That vote came after a 45-minute public hearing, during which a dozen or so speakers were about evenly split in their support for and opposition to the measure.
Two Allentown nonprofits — the Lehigh Conference of Churches and Ripple Community Inc.’s RCI Village Properties — petitioned the city to change its community-center definition, which they called an “unduly restrictive” and “ambiguous” regulation.
Community centers were barred from serving anyone other than senior citizens, though that term was never defined in the ordinance.
That created “an enforcement issue” for staffers trying to serve meals, the nonprofits said in their petition.
Lehigh Conference of Churches operates the Dubbs Memorial Community Center and the Daybreak drop-in shelter at 457 W. Allen St. It served about 75,000 meals last year.
'Valued in the community'
Ripple wants to serve meals at a proposed community center that zoning officials rejected last year.
“These are meals that ensure people aren't going without food, of course,” Executive Director Sherri Binder said.
“Nonprofit community centers make our city healthier; they make it stronger. They deserve our support.”Sherri Binder, executive director of Ripple Community Inc.
“But they're also making sure that our neighbors aren’t lonely, aren’t isolated, but instead are connected and valued in the community. That matters.”
The current limit on community center meals puts Ripple and other nonprofits “at risk in the interim,” Binder said. They face potential fines and shutdown orders if found in violation of city zoning codes.
Nonprofits in the city “are vital functions to ensure our neighbors are well cared for,” she said.
“Nonprofit community centers make our city healthier; they make it stronger,” Binder said. “They deserve our support.”
The board of West Park Civic Association, which has actively opposed Ripple’s plans to open a community center in the former Emmanuel United Church of Christ, urged Allentown City Council members not to remove the cap on meals.
The organization said in a letter read Wednesday night that the requested definition change was meant to “overturn” Allentown Zoning Hearing Board’s denial of Ripple’s request for a community center at 16th and Chew streets.
But the approved definition change was not targeted to benefit any specific community center or nonprofit in Allentown. It applies to all community centers in the city.
'Might lead to more'
RCI Village Properties plans to submit another application to the Zoning Hearing Board for relief from ordinances that blocked it from opening a community center in the former Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Binder said.
"You're right, having community centers feed people might lead to something more, and that's what we want.”Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach
Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach voiced her strong support for community centers feeding residents.
“Community centers raised me growing up,” she said.
She acknowledged some residents are concerned the definition change could open the door for more activity at community centers.
“You know what? You're right,” Gerlach said. “It might lead someone to developing a social connection that can get them out of their addiction.
"It might lead to someone breaking bread with someone else who can help them get mental health treatment. It might lead to someone getting their state ID that would allow them to get a job.
“So yes, you're right, having community centers feed people might lead to something more, and that's what we want."
Councilman Santo Napoli said he was confident the change would not harm residential neighborhoods, as nonprofits must gain zoning approval to open a community center in those areas.
Community centers are allowed only without special permission in commercial and industrial zones in Allentown.
Bogert's Bridge project
Also Wednesday, a project to rehabilitate Lehigh County’s oldest bridge could soon get underway after city officials hired a contractor for the project.
Council approved a $2.15 million contract for H & P Construction to fix the bridge.
The contract is funded by a grant from the state Transportation Department, which sought out companies to do the work on behalf of the city, according to officials.
H & P Construction was the lowest bidder of six companies that submitted proposals.
Allentown Parks and Recreation Director Mandy Tolino said last year the bridge would be restored to standards set by the Pennsylvania Historical Society.
