BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday approved a land development plan for a three-and-a-half-story, eight-unit residential building for 62-68 W. Union Blvd.

The unanimous approval for the project was given contingent upon changing its proposed stone veneer to a brick veneer and including a brick water table to match neighboring buildings, as well as meeting the conditions of a previous review letter from the city.

“I think that all the suggestions and certainly all the comments in the review letter are able to be accommodated,” said Kevin Horvath with Keystone Engineers.

The previously consolidated 0.4-acre lot featured a single-family home, which has already been demolished.

According to Horvath, the project also calls for 13 off-street parking spaces with an entrance and exit from Masslich Street, a dumpster pad and enclosure at the rear of the parking lot, and associated utilities and landscaping.

Horvath said the property is on the north side of Union Boulevard, behind a Sunoco station fronting Main Street.

Planning Commission member Eddie Burgos asked about using the 4-inch existing sewer line. Horvath said a utility engineer examined the line and it is “sufficiently sized.”

“I just think eight units with a 4-inch line would clog up,” said Burgos.

Planning Commission member Matthew Malozi inquired about stormwater management.

Horvath said stormwater will discharge onto Spruce Street around the northwest corner, and a grass-lined channel is proposed around the westerly side of the site to pick up any water and discharge into the roadway as well.

Additionally, the project will have ADA access, Horvath said.

The project was initially considered at the body’s Jan. 8 meeting, but the commission postponed a vote after determining the submitted plans were for an alternate proposal that was similar to, but not the same as, the building planned for the site.

“It’s a good project, but we have to make sure we follow procedure,” planning commission Chair Rob Melosky previously said.

For his part, Horvath said it wasn’t typical to have fully developed architectural drawings at the planning level.

62-68 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem

In other news, Melosky announced that Chief of Engineering and Deputy Director of Public Works Basel Yandem will be leaving his post to take up employment in Washington, D.C.

“Thank you for your time and your energy and all that you’ve done for our city,” said Melosky.

Yandem characterized his nearly five years with the city as “great.”

“It was a pleasure working with you … I definitely learned a lot I will use,” Yandem said.