ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A yearslong project to modernize Allentown's zoning code is almost over.
Allentown City Council on Wednesday signaled its intent to approve the regulatory overhaul after a public hearing at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 to solicit any final feedback from residents.
“We’re so happy to be this close to the finish line,” Allentown Planning and Zoning Director Jennifer Gomez said.
The form-based zoning code proposal better defines various building types and examines their character and compatibility within their area; the city’s current zoning code generally separates zoning districts by land uses.
Allentown wants to incentivize developers to build affordable housing without public subsidies by giving them a “two-story bonus."Jennifer Gomez, planning and zoning director
The rewrite would convert commercial-only districts into mixed-use zones to allow for residential units to be built in those areas.
And it aims to streamline processes to review and approve planned developments; encourage growth in targeted locations; promote walkability and public transit; and preserve stable neighborhoods, according to Gomez.
It also would incentivize developers to build affordable housing without public subsidies by giving them a “two-story bonus,” Gomez said.
Buildings in some zones would be capped at 4.5 stories high; but developers would be allowed to build up to 6.5 stories if at least 20% of units are considered affordable — a practice known as inclusionary zoning.
Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach, who plans to announce her campaign for state representative Thursday night, urged city officials to ensure the new zoning code guarantees developers build those units if they accept incentives.
The rewrite would help Allentown officials address two of their top priorities — building affordable housing and creating jobs, Councilman Santo Napoli said, noting the modernized code allows for “low-impact” and “artisan” manufacturing sites in many non-industrial zones.
Public input
Council’s committee-of-the-whole meeting Wednesday night was the penultimate public engagement opportunity in a process that kicked off four years ago.
But only a few people weighed in on the proposed rewrite.
Changing the definition of "household" will allow some families who were “unintentionally targeted” under the current code to stay together.Nicholas Biroski, researcher at George Washington University
Craig Beavers, vice chair of the Allentown City Planning Commission, said he and his colleagues are “thrilled” to recommend council members approve it.
Nicholas Birosik, a researcher at George Washington University, praised city officials for redefining a household.
The new code would allow up to four adults “of any relationship” to live together, along with any children related to one of the adult residents.
That change will allow some families who were “unintentionally targeted” under the current code to stay together, he said.
But Vicky Kistler, who leads Allentown’s department of community and economic development, clarified that all households must still meet minimum square-footage requirements set by the city’s building code.
The proposed zoning code eliminates parking requirements “in places where it makes sense,” including areas near high-capacity transit and public lots, and developments with affordable units, Gomez said.
One resident urged council members to eliminate all parking requirements after criticizing overregulation.
“I think it’s pretty simple to just scroll up and delete … I think it’s like Chapter 8,” he said, referring to the Parking, Mobility & Access section of the new code.
City officials hope council adopts the new zoning code — and a new subdivision and land development ordinance, more commonly known as a SALDO — next month. The new regulations would take effect Jan. 1.
That would give anyone with nearly completed plans a little time to file their proposals to be reviewed under the current zoning code, Gomez said.
