ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board approved an appeal to construct affordable housing Monday night at city hall.
The request, offered by Elon Affordable Housing LLC for the Housing Authority City of Allentown, involves the construction of two multi-family apartment buildings for the second phase of the Little Lehigh project at 246 Lehigh St.
The appeal involved insufficient interior height per apartment on the third story of the three-story building, with 10 feet required and 9.08 feet proposed. The building’s first and second floors comply with the zoning.
The applicant also sought relief for a pitched roof not permitted on general buildings.
Francis Vargas, of Elon, testified that the two buildings will be nearly 12,000 and more than 9,000 square feet each, and they will feature 35 total apartments. He added the buildings and project overall would be similar to the site’s first phase.
Zoners said the difference between the required and proposed ceiling height was minor and would not impact the public’s safety, health or welfare.
Loading dock
The board approved an appeal to construct a loading dock at the rear of a structure located at 620-634 N. Seventh St.
The appeal, offered by 630 Allentown Realty, was based on the project’s failure to meet rear setback requirements. The city’s zoning requires 20 feet. The applicant offered five feet.