BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A developer is proposing to replace a single-family home along the eastern border of the city with an 18-unit apartment building.
Bethlehem-based developer David Ronca and Macada Partners have plans for the new three-story structure with 12 two-bedroom and six one-bedroom units at 1625 Glenwood St.
Ronca said the home currently on site, right next to the city’s border with Bethlehem Township, is in disrepair.
“Our primary argument is that the lot is irregularly shaped."James Preston, attorney for property owner David Ronca and his proposed 18-unit apartment for Glenwood Street in Bethlehem
Ronca went before the city Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday, where he was approved for a parking variance.
He called for 23 off-street spaces for a new paved lot on site, though 27 would normally be required for a building of the proposed type and size.
“Our primary argument is that the lot is irregularly shaped,” Ronca's attorney, James Preston, said.
Plans also include seven lay-by parking spaces to go in the city right-of-way along Clermont Street, pending further city approval.
Preston said that would include widening and paving the road to make way for the off-street spots, which would be public use and keep drivers from striking a nearby utility pole.
'Not suitable'
Located at Clermont and Glenwood, and about a block east of Stefko Boulevard, the site is in the city’s RT-High Residential Zoning District, for which apartments in the newly proposed 35-foot-high building is a permitted use.
“I don’t care how much money you have — this is not suitable for something like this on that street."Susan Fink, Bethlehem resident
Susan Fink, who lives near the proposed project site, said to Ronca, “I don’t care how much money you have — this is not suitable for something like this on that street."
“This street is so high-traffic going to the township from the city,” she said.
Over in West Bethlehem, another developer plans to demolish a single-story ranch home on Eighth Avenue to allow for a three-story building with six residential units and 11 parking spaces.
That plan will be before the Zoning Hearing Board on Oct. 22 related to potential variances for lot width and parking lot buffer.
