BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2013 The Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday approved a land development plan for a three-and-a-half-story, eight-unit residential building for 62-68 W. Union Blvd.<\/p>\n
The unanimous approval for the project was given contingent upon changing its proposed stone veneer to a brick veneer and including a brick water table to match neighboring buildings, as well as meeting the conditions of a previous review letter from the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that all the suggestions and certainly all the comments in the review letter are able to be accommodated,\u201d said Kevin Horvath with Keystone Engineers.<\/p>\n
The previously consolidated 0.4-acre lot featured a single-family home, which has already been demolished.<\/p>\n
According to Horvath, the project also calls for 13 off-street parking spaces with an entrance and exit from Masslich Street, a dumpster pad and enclosure at the rear of the parking lot, and associated utilities and landscaping.<\/p>\n
Horvath said the property is on the north side of Union Boulevard, behind a Sunoco station fronting Main Street.<\/p>\n
Planning Commission member Eddie Burgos asked about using the 4-inch existing sewer line. Horvath said a utility engineer examined the line and it is \u201csufficiently sized.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think eight units with a 4-inch line would clog up,\u201d said Burgos.<\/p>\n
Planning Commission member Matthew Malozi inquired about stormwater management.<\/p>\n
Horvath said stormwater will discharge onto Spruce Street around the northwest corner, and a grass-lined channel is proposed around the westerly side of the site to pick up any water and discharge into the roadway as well.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the project will have ADA access, Horvath said.<\/p>\n
The project was initially considered at the body\u2019s Jan. 8 meeting, but the commission postponed a vote after determining the submitted plans were for an alternate proposal that was similar to, but not the same as, the building planned for the site.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a good project, but we have to make sure we follow procedure,\u201d planning commission Chair Rob Melosky previously said.<\/p>\n
For his part, Horvath said it wasn\u2019t typical to have fully developed architectural drawings at the planning level.<\/p>\n