Discussion of a proposed apartment building in northeast Bethlehem brought out several neighborhood residents to Thursday’s city planning commission meeting to express their concerns over how it could affect the area.
Developer Domenic Villani presented plans for a three-story building at 1405 North Blvd. with 16 apartments split between four one- and 12 two-bedroom units. It’s at the corner at North and East boulevards in a neighborhood that’s predominantly filled with single family homes.
During public comment, residents strongly opposed the project, labeling it a “monstrosity” that would dwarf surrounding homes. One speaker expressed frustration over the rapid influx of apartment complexes transforming Bethlehem into a rental-heavy community rather than an ownership-based one.
At the end of the meeting, Villani requested the board table the proposal and said he would come back with revised plans at the next meeting Aug. 25.
“I think it’s best if we go back and see if we can come up with [something] else to try,” Villani said. “My brother and I will go back with our team here, and we’ll come up with something that is hopefully more receptive to the neighbors.”
The parcel is in a residential transition zone, which means the project is a by-right build as it fully complies with the city’s underlying zoning percentages, density limits and height requirements.
The proposed building would replace a single family home that sits on a lot that’s large for the area at .36 acres. There’s room in the plans for a 21-space parking lot off East Boulevard and three additional spaces around the corner off North Boulevard.
“In actuality, the scale of the building doesn’t fit in the scale of the rest of the neighborhood,” said board member Joy Cohen, “and if there was any way to reduce the scale of it so it didn’t appear to be such a large building, it would tie in closer to the rest of the buildings in that neighborhood.”
“I understand that it is by-right,” added board member Matthew Malozi. “The mass, bulk and scale are not compatible with the existing neighborhood. It does stick out.”
During public comment, Villani was asked more than once if he could scale back the project. However, he said making the project financially feasible required him to build it to the proposed scale.
Villani has owned the land since September 2021, according to Northampton County records, purchasing it for $260,000.
Resident Janet Barry was worried about the influx of apartment buildings in the city.
The board also reviewed plans for a seven-story mixed-use building with 80 apartments on the South Side at 404 E. Third St. and another with 10 units at 52-56 E. Broad St. It also took another look at the Gateway on Fourth project near Wind Creek Bethlehem, a two-phase, 120-unit residential land development project across four buildings, with a small commercial component. The majority of the units will be designated as affordable housing
“Just because you can doesn’t mean that you do,” Barry said. “Bethlehem is quickly becoming a rental community rather than a residential community. The quality of life of many is being sacrificed for the benefit of a few — namely, the developers.”
Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at ejones@mcall.com.