BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A dilapidated single-family home across from Touchstone Theatre and Parham Park may become a three-story mixed-use structure.
The project, proposed for four apartments above ground-level commercial space at 330 E. 4th St., was before the city Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday.
Developers were seeking a special exception for parking and dimensional variances for lot width, lot area and setbacks.
The zoning relief would help alleviate financial costs associated with demolition of both the structure and a garage on the south end of the property, developers said.
Zoners unanimously approved variances, with some conditions, which would push the new building just a bit farther away from both Fourth Street and a neighboring structure.
Since the property owner, Nabila Youssef of Allentown, is not sure what will go in the proposed retail space, zoners asked developers to keep in touch with the city zoning officer regarding parking to determine a final number of spots.
“We have a perfect fit here; we’re a combination of everything that’s around us."Joseph Rentko, principal engineer with Black Forest Engineering of Northampton
Six spaces are proposed for the apartment use.
But if a more intense use than street-front retail ends up on the table, Youssef would have to come back before the board for further approval.
Bounded by Fourth, Polk and Morton streets, the structure is located among other mixed uses nearby, including a laundromat and barber shop.
“We have a perfect fit here; we’re a combination of everything that’s around us,” said Joseph Rentko, principal engineer with Black Forest Engineering of Northampton, speaking on behalf of Youssef.
Rentko’s firm completed the property’s boundary and topographic surveys, and prepared a land development submission.
Already approved for demolition
The proposal is a permitted use based on the site's Limited Commercial zoning classification, and the building has already gotten preliminary demolition approval from the Historic Conservation Commission.
The HCC is a recommending body to Bethlehem City Council that reviews changes to the outside of buildings in the South Bethlehem Historic Conservation District and Mount Airy Neighborhood District.
Youssef has to go before HCC again with broader plans on the building, and developers soon will be before the city Planning Commission soon.
Primary concerns from zoners revolved around the site's impervious coverage, grading down Polk Street and a plan for planting new trees.
