an amendment introduced by Councilmember Jo Daniels<\/a> that would extend mandatory buffer yard protections to semi-detached, or twin, homes and attached homes, or rowhomes, in addition to detached single-family homes.<\/p>\nCurrently, the city\u2019s zoning ordinance requires a 15-foot buffer only when new apartment developments are built next to detached homes.<\/p>\n
In her amendment, Daniels argued the change would ensure all homeowners receive equal protection from the impacts of higher-density development, including noise, light, stormwater runoff, air pollution and reduced privacy. She also cites fire safety concerns, noting that twin homes and rowhomes share walls and attic spaces, making them more vulnerable during emergencies.<\/p>\n
Several residents spoke on behalf of the amendment, reiterating Daniels\u2019 points about buffer yards being an equity issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more space we have, the better,\u201d said one resident.<\/p>\n
In her amendment, Daniels said that attached and semi-detached homes make up nearly 28% of Bethlehem’s housing stock, are generally more affordable than detached homes and are more likely to house lower-income and minority residents.<\/p>\n
Daniels also argued the current ordinance disproportionately denies these neighborhoods protections already afforded to detached homes.<\/p>\n
The proposed amendment would replace the ordinance’s reference to “an existing single-family detached dwelling” with “any residential use,” requiring buffer yards whenever qualifying apartment developments abut any residential property.<\/p>\n
Daniels said the change would create consistency in the zoning code, improve public safety and environmental protections, preserve neighborhood character and promote equitable treatment for all residents without creating a new development standard.<\/p>\n
Tuesday, Daniels said the measure was a \u201cmatter of inequity that I felt across the city for all residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving all available residential properties included is paramount,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The text amendment will be considered by the committee and reviewed by the city planning commission. Following the planning commission\u2019s review, a hearing will be held before the council’s next meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2013 One member of Bethlehem City Council wants to make sure all homeowners get some space.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":160160,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[119,121,120,153,102550,102551,102552,23373],"class_list":["post-238222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-allentown","tag-allentown","tag-allentown-headlines","tag-allentown-news","tag-bethlehem","tag-buffer-yard","tag-rowhomes","tag-twin-homes","tag-zoning-ordinance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238222"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238222\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}