ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Allentown Metropolis Council voted Wednesday to improve the zoning designation for the site of the former Montex Textiles mill — a shift that opens the door for a proposed condominium intricate.
The vote will adjust the zoning to residential medium-significant density from the latest residential medium density for the 5.3 acre internet site situated at South Sixth Street and West Cumberland Avenue.
The Yasin Khan 2021 Family Have faith in is the equitable proprietor of the home and has proposed constructing 4 three-tale apartment structures with roughly 144 models.
Joseph Fitzpatrick, an legal professional representing the operator, stated the residence has not been used since the textile corporation stopped functions in 1999 and turned debris-littered a lot mainly because of a fireplace in 2005.
Fitzpatrick pressured that the request to improve the zoning is only the 1st move and that the task will be matter to scrutiny by the scheduling fee, as well as concerns from community functions, Metropolis Council and neighbors.
Fitzpatrick explained his consumer has not yet submitted any ideas and would not do so until eventually the zoning transform was accepted.
Fitzpatrick also stated the vacant home has beforehand been considered by other builders, but very little arrived to fruition.
“I imagine this is the furthest along that we’ve seen an chance to create the web site where by the hearth happened on a former industrial use,” Fitzpatrick mentioned.
The city’s setting up commission suggested a favorable acceptance of the request to transform the zoning.
Council conducted a public hearing prior to the regular council assembly, through which one particular member of the general public opposed the zoning improve.
Kenneth Laudenslager, a resident of West Cumberland Street, explained he was also representing his neighborhood’s criminal offense enjoy in objecting to the new zoning.
“The community has all private assets solitary houses, and now you might be likely to set three-story structures in their backyards,” Laundenslager said. “Additionally, it is likely to have a adverse impression by putting further youngsters into Jefferson Elementary Faculty.”
Laundenslager also pointed out that flats would produce substantial site visitors, producing what he described as harmful scenarios on by now congested streets.
Councilman Daryl L. Hendricks explained he was voting to approve the zoning, understanding that some of Laundenslager’s issues will be tackled in the scheduling approach.
“I do have issues,” Hendricks claimed. “It really is hard because we require added housing in the town. We have a lot much more individuals moving in right here.”
“I will vote ‘yes,’ and with any luck , we’ll get every thing permitted in a respectful manner and will be a thing absolutely everyone can are living with,” he extra.