- Easton's planning commission recommended granting several variances to the city's Redevelopment Authority in order to transform a vacant church into four affordable housing units for rental
- The RDA plans to manage the properties themselves, maintaining a rental rate no greater than 30% of tenants' incomes
- Though parking remains an ever-present concern, grandfathered exceptions have permitted the space to operate without any set spaces
EASTON, Pa. — A former church is on its way to being flipped into affordable housing following a review from Easton’s planning commission on Wednesday.
Seeking a special exception to turn the property into a four-unit multifamily establishment intended for low-income individuals, Rehabilitation Program Manager Mike Brett and architect Scott Voelker of Eggmanink Design fielded just a few questions from the city’s planning commission, primarily focused on the issue of parking.
The building is at 824-832 Ferry St. The new dwelling units will fall between 590 and 677 square feet, with each featuring a standard living room, dining room, kitchen, sleeping area, bathroom, and loft.
Zoning administration determined the property requires several variances to pursue the plan, including a minimum lot width of 45 feet, an an existing total lot area of 4,500 feet, existing five-yard side setback, and an area per dwelling unit size of 1,250 square feet, among others.
“...In response to the demands of the market, the challenges facing the affordable housing market in general, we are moving a little bit into rentals as well so we can supply some affordable rentals for our residents.”Easton Redevelopment Authority Rehabilitation Program Manager Mike Brett
As it stands, the former Italian Presbyterian Church, which has been vacant for about two decades, has a lot width of 40 feet, an existing total lot area of 3,160 square feet, and no side setbacks.
Brett said the project, helmed by the RDA, will be the first rental property the organization will undertake.
“This project is an affordable housing project. Part of the Redevelopment Authority’s mission is to supply affordable housing for Easton,” Brett said.
“Historically we've seen over owner-occupied rehabs and single-family rehabs for owner occupancy, but in response to the demands of the market, the challenges facing the affordable housing market in general, we are moving a little bit into rentals as well so we can supply some affordable rentals for our residents.”
Potential tenants will have to fall 65% below the median income for occupancy, Brett said, later adding that for an individual making around $38,000 per year, rent will be capped at 30% of that figure or around $950 per month.
According to Brett, the RDA will manage the units, and maintain a maintenance employee on contract to address any issues with the building.
Brett said the choice of the church stemmed from a goal to compete with private investors by acquiring “obsolete or less desirable” properties that can be adapted into new housing. The gutted church just so happened to fit the bill perfectly.
Fair market value for the units would fall around $1,800 per month, Brett said, “so we’re just keeping it safe and affordable.”
At least one property will be Americans-With-Disabilities-Act-compliant, relying upon a ramp at the front of the building to accommodate those who require assistance.
The RDA is also considering adding an elevator and solar panels if they find those options affordable.
Board members including Hubert Etchison and Frank Pintabone raised concerns over available parking for tenants, though RDA Director John Kingsley pointed out an exception had been grandfathered in for the property.
"I've been battling with this myself like last week, just because we need affordable housing. But parking is already an issue that people are complaining about, and we're just adding to the issue,” Pintabone said.
Voelker, who also serves on the board of Safe Harbor Easton – an organization that focuses on providing transitional shelter for homeless and low-income individuals – said he could imagine the Ferry Street property serving as a home for those exiting Safe Harbor, noting those individuals could receive public transit passes for nearby bus stops.
“A lot of the people that are on that, they get the vouchers for public transportation. And this project, site, we have bus stops within a couple of blocks in every direction. So it's likely they're coming from Safe Harbor for whatever reason, they're probably more reliant on the public transportation than they are likely to have a car,” Voelker said, though he could not guarantee tenants would come exclusively from Safe Harbor.
Etchison said while he has always been in support of public housing, he was also determined to keep neighborhoods livable, which includes addressing parking issues.
“I have to be true to my spirit and say, this gives me a problem,” Etchison said. “It doesn’t mean I’m going to vote against it, but it gives me a problem.”
While Etchison abstained from a final vote, the recommendation for variances was sent to the Zoning Hearing Board.
