Lehigh Valley Real Estate

More than a dozen new apartments could be built in Allentown, though six more were rejected Monday night.

A conditional use hearing for a 170-unit apartment complex on Van Buren Road addressed a potential right-of-way issue during Monday's Palmer supervisors meeting, although the hearing has been continued until April.

Officials held a grand opening for 1528 West Apartments on Friday, which is World Down Syndrome Day. Ten of its 49 apartments are reserved for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The almost four-acre property is near the intersection of Easton Avenue and Farmersville Road, across from Blue Grillhouse and just down from Notre Dame High School.

Easton Housing Authority obtained a set of variances that will allow for development of a 45-unit affordable senior housing project and dedicated parking in the West Ward.

Several planning commission members questioned the use of a gate to regulate traffic and suggested developer Manny Makhoul instead extend Turner Street across his property.

Plans call for buildings of 50-plus feet, but they won’t seem that tall to neighbors, according to the developer.

The project, named Emerson Village, calls for the construction of 57 townhomes and 59 single-unit homes on 35 acres at 3626 Rural Road.

On Wednesday, HARB, the recommending body to City Council that weighs proposed changes to the exterior of buildings in Historic Bethlehem, said it wanted to see revised plans for the former 555 Main St. five-and-dime at its next meeting on April 2.

The Northampton County General Purpose Authority voted Tuesday to transfer a small lot along 25th St. to Skyline Investment Group, the developer working to turn the old Dixie Cup factory into more than 400 apartments.

The work is supported by a $1 million reimbursement grant through the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, for “the design acquisition, and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.”

Just around the corner from Main and Broad streets, Darto's has operated at the same 46 W. North St. location for more than 40 years. It will be replaced by another restaurant of some sort.

The Lehigh Valley continues to be among the nation's leaders in economic development, it was revealed at the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Development Outlook event on Tuesday in Allentown.

A proposed 273-unit apartment complex set for Downtown Easton received conditional approval from the planning commission Wednesday evening, even if plenty of residents and business owners worried about parking.

A proposed amendment to Easton's rental property regulations could push landlords to take a more active role in their rentals, with the potential for them to lose their licenses if tenants engage in illegal activities.

A proposed warehouse project in Allen Township was reviewed and advanced by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's Comprehensive Planning Committee on Tuesday afternoon.The committee found several issues with a proposed apartment complex in Bethlehem and a proposed mobile home park in Palmer Township.

The National Association of Realtors has agreed to eliminate its rules on commissions. That will have an impact on real estate professionals' fees — and perhaps supply a jolt to the tepid housing market.

Developer Abe Atiyeh had a rough 24 hours after Allentown zoning and planning officials denied two separate proposals for his property.

Easton's Planning Commission ultimately opted to vote against recommending a special exception which would allow for a 256-unit apartment in College Hill during Wednesday's meeting.

Upper Mount Bethel Township's Board of Supervisors voted Monday to dissolve the township's municipal authority. The authority was established less than six months ago as part of an agreement with developers behind the planned River Pointe industrial park.