BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A developer seeking to put up townhouses in a cozy corner of West Bethlehem will have to at least wait a little longer for a potential green light.
Developer Ishtiaq Ali Saaem’s bid to challenge the city zoning officer on a ruling related to inadequate lot size was postponed Tuesday. The appeal will be back before the board on Aug. 27.
Many neighboring residents showed up Tuesday to voice their opposition to the project.
“We support responsible development that complies fully with zoning laws, protects the health and integrity of our neighborhood, and aligns with the spirit of Bethlehem’s land use vision."Opposing residents' petition regarding new townhouses at 312 Hanover St.
Saaem, of Hanover Rauch LLC, has plans to build a 2 1/2-story "townshouse style" structure with three dwelling units, each with three bedrooms and two garage parking spaces.
Four more parking spots would be available on site between the proposed building and an existing two-family residential building, according to recent plans.
The existing home is at 312 Hanover St., on a 13,440-square-foot tract between Hanover and Rauch streets in the city's RT-High Density Residential District.
James Preston, lawyer for Saaem, wrote in a March 21 document that associated relief should be granted, since the city zoning officer applied his ruling “in a selective manner — which seems tailored to a desired result — rather than applying said section logically and consistently.”
Residents oppose project
A petition with nearly 100 neighbors’ signatures says that approving the project as presented would be “forcing disproportionate development onto a lot that lacks the size, infrastructure and environmental capacity to support it."
Residents are concerned about an associated increase in impervious surface, and risk to nearby historic homes, greenspace and shade trees, according to the petition.
“We support responsible development that complies fully with zoning laws, protects the health and integrity of our neighborhood, and aligns with the spirit of Bethlehem’s land use vision,” the petition says.
The city Planning Commission provided no ruling at its meeting on April 11, 2024.
But panel members passed along their concerns: proper fire apparatus access from the alley at Rauch Street, traffic control on nearby streets and adequate light screening between the site and adjacent homes.
At another planners meeting in January, the developer's attorney said his team would adhere to city requirements.
