ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Allentown Planning Commission reviewed four major apartment complexes during its Tuesday afternoon meeting lasting nearly six hours at city hall.

The largest involved a revised preliminary/final land development plan for a 16-story, 360-unit apartment building at 249-31 N. Front St. The 360 units will include 71 studios, 182 one-bedroom units, 103 two-bedroom apartments, and four three-bedroom units.

The most significant change was an increase in residential units from the previously approved 267, and specifically an increase in studios. An event space was added, along with some facade changes to the building itself. The plan includes bicycle storage spaces outside the building, and also features a rooftop garden.

The developer has eliminated office space from the project, although retail space remains. Some of that retail space could be utilized for office space.

1000+ apartments pitched for Allentown waterfront

Parking was cited as a concern by planners and during a public comment session. One neighboring resident said the developer could help address nearby Bucky Boyle Park’s current condition, which she described as “not the best.”

The applicant, Urban Residential Properties, plans to demolish the former American Atelier furniture factory and construct a building.. There are 478 parking spaces proposed. The Allentown Parking Authority is considering a public parking space at 409 Ridge Ave., city officials said Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re putting our money where out mouth is,” Urban Residential Properties chief operating officer John Palumbo told the commission about his investment in the city.

Planning commission members asked Palumbo if he would be willing to “help the neighborhood out” with facade improvements. Palumbo replied that he would consider it.

Planners granted conditional approval to the changes Tuesday afternoon.

Park Lofts

Planners tabled a preliminary/final land development plan approval for a mixed-use apartment complex.

The proposal, called Park Lofts, calls for a seven-story, 242-unit apartment building with 13,300 square feet of retail at 115 Riverside Dr.

RS Residences

The commission tabled preliminary/final land development plan approval for a mixed-use building.

The plan, named RS Residences, calls for a seven-story, 210-unit apartment building with 4,500 square feet of retail at 51 N. Front St. The proposal includes 286 parking spaces.

When asked about the “vison” for the entire Waterfront development, Palumbo’s officials with the project said the vision is to “create a walkable community” and “to create buildings with their own personality…that complement each other” and further described the vision as “holistic.”

Planners found the building’s aesthetics lacking.

“The only ‘Waterfront’ thing about this is the address,” Chairman Christian Brown. “…It’s a handsome building, but it’s not a Waterfront project…I don’t feel like these projects celebrate the Waterfront.”

Brown later classified the plan as a “mess,” although he acknowledged the ordinances allowed the developer “to do this.”

Planner Craig Beavers concurred with Brown, and expressed concerns about traffic, specifically turning lanes.

“They are great buildings alone, but I don’t know how they look for the Waterfront,” Beavers said.

“It’s getting a bit homogeneous…the design seems pretty flat,” Planner Erich Hornung said.

“These buildings are placeholders,” commission member Jeff Glazier offered.

Further, planners indicated the projects did not comply with the city’s master development plan.

Architect Carlos Tovar said he would continue working with the city to incorporate their vision.

2 Allen Street

The planning commission tabled preliminary/final land development plan approval for a mixed-use building.

The proposal, known as 2 Allen Street – West Allen, plans for a seven-story, 200-unit apartment building with 18,000 square feet of retail at 1-17 W. Liberty St. and 2-16 W. Allen St.

Like the 51 N. Front St. project, planners were critical of the project’s design overall. There was also discussion about a physical constraint on Brick Street. Lengthy discussion centered around moving the building a few feet. No actual resolution was reached Tuesday afternoon, but both sides agreed to discuss the matter moving forward.

Consistent with the other comments, Tovar said the project would be revised.

School building

Planners granted preliminary/final land development plan approval for a modular school building.

School expansion proposal in Allentown raises concerns over loss of community park

The proposal, offered by the Allentown School District, calls for the installation of a 9,856-square-foot modular, 10-classroom building expanding the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Academy located at 2020 E. Pennsylvania St./ 1103 N. Tacoma St.

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The plan attracted opposition from Midway Manor officials and neighbors. Planners expressed concerns about traffic, which was resolved legislatively by imposing a traffic study.

In addition to the approval, the commission approved a waiver request.