ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A childcare center and gymnasium named after the late Monsignor John P. Murphy, proposed for Salisbury Township, got a first look Tuesday from Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's Comprehensive Planning Committee.
The Planning Committee also reviewed rezoning requests for residential and mixed-use land development throughout the Lehigh Valley.
The Salisbury Township project proposes construction of a 25,800-square-foot Education Center in memory of Murphy, pastor Emeritus of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Allentown who died in December 2023 at age 86.
The location at 1031 Flexer Ave. includes the St. Thomas More Church campus and preschool, Louise Lane Park, sports club and multiple single-family detached properties.
"This project sounds like a hit — with all the key notes."Steve Melnick, chairman of Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Comprehensive Planning Committee
"This project sounds like a hit — with all the key notes," committee Chairman Steve Melnick said.
An existing chapel with parking would remain and be redeveloped.
The LVPC recommends that educational institutions such as the proposed childcare center incorporate environmentally sensitive building and landscape design, such as green roofs or solar panels.
All proposals looked at Tuesday will be further reviewed at a full meeting of the LVPC on Thursday night.
Addressing housing in Emmaus
Also Tuesday, Emmaus borough officials requested a comprehensive zoning ordinance update to address the borough's housing shortage.
The proposal allows for a diverse range of housing types throughout various zoning districts.
Such a change would serve to diversify the price points and types of available housing in accordance with FutureLV: The Regional Plan, the LVPC noted.
According to the Lehigh Valley Housing Dashboard, Emmaus has a current shortage of 169 units.
An additional 230 units would be needed by 2050 to keep up with anticipated population growth.
The housing types, development flexibility and densities allowed in the proposed zoning ordinance would help mitigate housing pressures within the borough.
Accessory housing units for Easton?
Easton hopes to amend various sections of its zoning code to also address the region-wide housing shortage.
The city is taking a proactive approach in addressing the shortage by including accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, as permitted by right of use in the College Hill, South Side and West Ward areas.
If approved, the proposal would expand the Adaptive Reuse Zoning and Entertainment Zoning districts.
Apartments, retail space for Bethlehem
An application by a private petitioner has proposed that the Bethlehem amend its zoning map to facilitate future mixed-use land development.
The applicant proposes rezoning parcels at 11 and 15 W. Garrison Street from High Density Residential Zoning District to Central Business District.
The rezoning is intended to facilitate a future mixed-use land development project, including 70 apartment units and commercial/retail space on the ground floor.
In addition to the West Garrison Street properties, the applicant also owns adjacent parcels along North New Street between North Street and Garrison Street.
