EASTON, Pa. – The Easton Planning Commission granted final approval for a proposed mixed-use building Wednesday night at city hall.

The proposal, known as “The Lynden,” calls for a seven-story structure at 101 S. Third St., featuring 73 condominiums and more than 2,540 square feet of first-floor commercial and retail space.

The condominiums will be comprised of 15 one-bedroom units, 36 two-bedroom units and 22 three-bedroom units and penthouses, which have balconies. Officials with the application noted there would be a gym and bicycle room on the first floor.

The proposal, offered by developer Basin Street Industrial Development LLC, also features 43 parking spaces on the first floor with an entrance on South Bank Street. The building’s south side will have stepped-back corners and balconies along Ferry Street. Floors two through six will have brick veneer in two or more colors. In addition, there will be several different configurations of large windows in the apartments.

A further property inventory shows the street level will have a different wall material from above and include storefront framed glass areas typical of mixed-use buildings in Easton. The building will have a corner retail space with a corner entrance. The condo entrance will be located along South Third Street and have full glass doors and several glass side lights.

Rending of entryway to proposed Lynden building in Easton

Kevin Serfass, vice president of Serfass Construction’s development and acquisitions, told planners Wednesday night there is an agreement to acquire 40 parking spaces at the nearby city garage.

There is currently a two-story building on the site that includes a Fidelity bank branch on the ground floor. That building would be razed as part of the project.

The project must return to the city’s historic district commission for more reviews of items such as final material, window and design plans.

Aerial view of proposed Lynden building in downtown Easton

On Dec. 2, 2020, the planning commission approved an 11-story, 80-unit apartment complex by developer Garrett Benner at the site. The project never came to fruition.

Data center discussion

Planners also had a discussion Wednesday night about a significant and emerging planning issue: data centers.

Chairman G. Kennedy Greene said the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission recently offered a training session on a “guidance document” focusing on new and emerging industrial land uses. The sessions included data centers as one of various emerging uses.

The term “data center” is almost certain to elicit reaction from many people, although what exactly defines a data center is sometimes not clear. Data centers are facilities that store, process and move digital information anytime people stream video, store files in the cloud, have a virtual online meeting or make online purchases.

Hyperscale data centers can exceed 1 million square feet, planners said Wednesday. The centers also typically operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, generating significant heat. This requires adequate electricity and water along with a consideration of environmental demands.

“They (data centers) are not what data centers were 30 years ago,” Greene said. “It’s really timely that LVPC developed this.”

“I understand that the demand for electricity, water, all the air conditioning, along with all the demands for other kinds of power are astronomical,” member Ronald Shipman said of data centers. “People are afraid. The federal government is afraid.”