BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The city planning commission unanimously recommended approval Thursday for a 10-unit apartment building at 3410 Linden St., near the Bethlehem Township line.
- The applicant plans to tear down the existing building at 3410 Linden St.
- Plans are to build a two-story, 10-unit apartment building
- The property would include 20 parking spots, two electric vehicle stalls and a turnaround area for larger vehicles
Developer Alain Aoun of West Broad Investments plans on consolidating two existing lots, tearing down the building there now and constructing a two-story building. It would have 10 apartments and 20 off-street parking spaces.
Joseph Rentko, president of Black Forest Engineering — a Coplay-based civil engineering firm representing the property owner — said the building would go up on a 43,295 square-foot lot.
The revised plan follows a previous one that called for a 15- or 16-unit apartment building that didn't meet the density restrictions of the city’s zoning ordinance.
The existing building has four apartments and a parking area.
'Curb appeal' on Linden Street
The building would make a great addition to the area, as the current one lacks “curb appeal,” Rentko said.
“This building, I think, will be a tremendous improvement to the city and especially to that streetscape for Linden Street, which, I’d say, is a main thoroughfare for the city.”Joseph Rentko, president of Black Forest Engineering
“This building, I think, will be a tremendous improvement to the city and especially to that streetscape for Linden Street, which, I’d say, is a main thoroughfare for the city,” Rentko said.
Linden Street turns into Route 191 in nearby Bethlehem Township.
The parking lot would offer 20 spaces, two handicap-accessible spots, two electric vehicle stalls, a screen Dumpster enclosure in the back portion and a turnaround area for large vehicles such as firetrucks.
'Screening and buffering'
Rentko mentioned previous concerns from neighbors related to “screening and buffering.”
As a potential solution, he proposed the planting of a variety of bushes and trees, as well as the installation of a four or six-foot vinyl fence to block out headlight glare from cars parking in adjoining lots.
Thoughts from local agencies
Craig Peiffer, the city's deputy director of planning and zoning, noted that Linden Street is a state highway.
Because of that, associated specialists asked for continued coordination between the applicant’s engineer, city engineer and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority has provided comments on the proposed property, explaining that this area is known for a gap in sidewalk and pedestrian connectivity.
LANTA said this property design would “significantly reduce that gap,” Peiffer said.
The Bethlehem Environmental Advisory Council showed appreciation for the property's suggested bicycle rack, EV charging stations, and it recommended using solar energy rooftop systems if feasible, Peiffer said.
