BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In the last project review of the evening, the Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday approved a minor land development plan for a proposed self-storage facility at 2955 Linden St.
The project, submitted by Linden Street Self Storage LLC, would be developed on a parcel in the city’s Commercial Shopping (CS) zoning district.
Byron Anstine, CEO of Storage First, presented plans for 84 storage units, which he said would be a mix of drive-up and climate-controlled units. The building would be around nine feet at its tallest, surrounded by a six-foot-tall fence.
Anstine said the tan and white buildings will likely be prefabricated. Light pollution will be reduced through the use of downlights that won’t spill into surrounding areas.
Commenters and commission members raised concerns centered on traffic, parking, truck size and security camera placement.
Ultimately, planning commission members voted to approve the project, provided the applicant meets conditions that vehicles no greater than 26 feet measured internally are allowed on site, fencing matches the property’s gate and hours of operation are limited to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Planning Commission Chair Rob Melosky voted “no” on the project.
Residential development
Also on Thursday, the planning commission considered a site plan for 11 homes on a vacant wooded parcel at 1801 Elliott Ave. The project calls for five pairs of single-family semi-detached homes and one single-family detached home constructed on 2.25 acres. Each roughly 1,200-square-foot home would have its own driveway, the applicant said.
The property is located in the RR residential zoning district and is bounded by Elliott and Mount Airy avenues.
The applicant, Kevin Horvath, said the property is adjacent to the Norfolk Southern Railroad.
City planning staff said the applicant will need a use variance because semi-detached homes are not permitted in the RR, or Rural Residential, district. Additional variances related to setbacks and slopes were also discussed.
According to the applicant’s counsel, Joe Piperato, the property was formerly zoned RG, or General Residential, a higher-density district, but it was later changed to RR. Under RR zoning, Piperato said, a lone single-family home is allowed without requesting any relief.
“This is not something or a property where someone is going to build a family compound on a 2.24-acre lot because that’s what’s allowed. This is a lot where we can do some good for the community by providing reasonably affordable housing where hardly any exist today,” Horvath said.
Plans also allow for the preservation of trees on portions of the property not disturbed by the site’s steep slopes, Piperato said.
In a June 5 review letter, the city’s planning and zoning department raised concerns about steep slopes, tree preservation, pedestrian access, utilities and compliance with residential development standards.
Staff also noted the application must comply with the current zoning ordinance’s steep-slope regulations.
Craig Peiffer, assistant director in the city’s planning and zoning office, discussed concerns from the fire department about the apparatus turning radius.
Additional review comments address stormwater management, traffic circulation, landscaping, fire access and other requirements that would be evaluated during the land development process.
During a site plan review, the Planning Commission may recommend conditions for consideration by the Zoning Hearing Board.
For his part, Planning Commission Member Matt Malozi offered support for the project.
“I think it’s been thoughtfully designed,” Malozi said.
Zoning amendments
In other business, the planning commission reviewed a series of zoning text amendments intended to clarify lodging regulations, expand workforce housing incentives and reinforce residential development standards.
According to Planning and Zoning Director Cathy Fletcher, the proposed changes would revise definitions for “hotel” and “boarding or rooming house” and establish a definition for “transient guest” as someone occupying lodging accommodations for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The amendments are intended to provide greater clarity and ensure short-term rentals are regulated in zoning districts where hotel uses are permitted.
The proposal also would add the CL (Limited Commercial) zoning district to the city’s Workforce Housing Incentive Program, aligning the zoning ordinance with Bethlehem’s housing affordability and housing choice goals.
In addition, the amendments would clarify that no more than one single-family detached dwelling may be located on a single lot in a residential district, reinforcing the development pattern intended by city zoning regulations.
The planning commission voted unanimously to recommend the amendments to Bethlehem City Council.