ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A developer had visions of turning a vacant office building on Allentown’s South Side into a new charter school. Instead, the property will continue as a parking lot for tractor-trailers.
Allentown Planning Commission last week approved Exchange 32 LLC’s plans to make the west side of the property’s parking lot a trucking terminal.
- Dozens of tractor-trailers are set to continue parking at 2268 S. 12th St.
- The trucking-terminal application came after Allentown officials shot down a different proposal this year
- A developer sought approval to open a charter school on the property, which sits in an industrial zone
For several months, drivers have parked trucks in the lot at 2268 S. 12th St., where Lehigh Valley STEAM Academy Charter School executives tried to open a new location this year.
Those executives tried to persuade zoning and planning officials to change the city’s ordinances to allow schools to open in industrial zones under some circumstances.
But they faced vehement opposition at each step of the approval process from Allentown School District lawyers and officials, who said it was “simply not good planning” to send school-aged kids into industrial zones.
School district representatives also raised concerns that the ordinance amendment could be seen as “spot-zoning” because it “seems to be targeted specifically” to help the charter school.
“If [a port-a-potty] gives you guys the warm fuzzies about the project, we’ll do it."David Bray, JENA Engineering
Allentown’s planning commission, zoning board and city council each rejected the proposed zoning amendment to allow schools in industrial zones.
Several council members said they voted against the amendment because they didn’t want to create any issues while the city works to overhaul its zoning ordinances.
Attorney John VanLuvanee told council the property would continue to serve as a parking lot if it rejected the zoning amendment for charter schools in industrial zones.
New entrance
Exchange 32 sought the planning commission approval to legalize the temporary truck terminal, which was operating without permits, according to city Planning and Zoning Director Jennifer Gomez.
The developer’s proposal shows 24 parking spaces for tractor-trailers, though planning commissioner members on Tuesday acknowledged concerns about two spots nearest to South 12th Street, because of slopes in that area.
David Bray, of JENA Engineering, represented Exchange 32 at Tuesday’s planning meeting. He agreed to move the terminal’s entrance from a small opening on South 12th Street, which forced trucks to enter the wrong lanes of traffic.
Trucks now will enter the lot from West Sesqui Street.
'Warm fuzzies'
Planners spoke at length about driver facilities, such as restrooms or a lounge, on the property, but Allentown’s City Code does not require property owners to provide them at trucking terminals.
There are “things that you can only dream of, but it happens. And when it happens adjacent to residential areas, it’s not good.”Planning commission member Christian Brown
Planning commission member Christian Brown said he’s seen complaints in other municipalities about “drivers … wandering around, finding places to relieve themselves in the middle of the night" near trucking terminals.
There are “things that you can only dream of, but it happens,” Brown said. “And when it happens adjacent to residential areas, it’s not good.”
Bray said Exchange 32 is open to putting a "port-a-potty" on the property.
“If that gives you guys the warm fuzzies about the project, we’ll do it,” Bray said.
