BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Two separate applications to convert former churches in Bethlehem to housing were approved Wednesday by the city’s zoning hearing board.
The first application, from DTMG 1665 VCP LLC of Bethlehem, calls for converting the former Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in the 500 block of High Street into a 15-unit multifamily structure.
Plans include nine one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units and three studio apartments with a total of 21 parking spaces, said Kevin Horvath of Keystone Consulting Engineers.
No changes are planned for the church exterior, Horvath said.
But some residents expressed concern over parking and the location of the dumpster on the property.
“Parking in that neighborhood is extremely difficult,” said East Walnut Street resident Chuck Hennet. “There is no permit parking. It’s a free-for-all.”
Hennet added that although there may be enough parking for building residents, problems may arise if the residents have visitors.
The application was unanimously approved with several conditions, including relocating the dumpster from its proposed location along Walnut Street, ensuring that fencing is taller than the dumpster and adding a buffer.
In addition, the board is requiring that the proposed studio apartments have one designated parking spot each, something that must be included in the lease.
Finally, the developer must work with city planners to realign a shade tree on the property.
The board also approved an application from Monocacy General Contracting LLC to partially demolish the former Zion First Hungarian Lutheran Church in the 900 block of Fourth Street and construct a 24-unit multifamily structure.
The developer is proposing to build eight one-bedroom units and 16 two-bedrooms units. In addition, the first floor of the church structure will consist of a gym and community space. A total of 42 parking spaces are proposed.
“For me it would be a shame to tear down the whole thing,” said developer Plamen Ayvazov.
About 40% of the church structure, including the façade and church steeple, will remain intact, representatives for the developer said.
“We started the design work trying very hard to keep the church,” said project architect Christine Ussler. It is a petite church and we really couldn’t get that many apartments into the church.”
Louis James, president of the South Bethlehem Historical Society, expressed concern about the location of a dumpster on the property and the width of the proposed structure blocking the view of nearby St. Michael’s Cemetery.
The application was approved provided, among other things, that the developer keeps the 40% of the church structure.