Discussion of a proposed apartment building in northeast Bethlehem brought out several neighborhood residents to Thursday\u2019s city planning commission meeting to express their concerns over how it could affect the area.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s at the corner at North and East boulevards in a neighborhood that\u2019s predominantly filled with single family homes.<\/p>\n
During public comment, residents strongly opposed the project, labeling it a \u201cmonstrosity\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s best if we go back and see if we can come up with [something] else to try,\u201d Villani said. \u201cMy brother and I will go back with our team here, and we\u2019ll come up with something that is hopefully more receptive to the neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n
The parcel is in a residential transition zone, which means the project is a by-right build as it fully complies with the city\u2019s underlying zoning percentages, density limits and height requirements.<\/p>\n
The proposed building would replace a single family home that sits on a lot that\u2019s large for the area at .36 acres. There\u2019s room in the plans for a 21-space parking lot off East Boulevard and three additional spaces around the corner off North Boulevard.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn actuality, the scale of the building doesn\u2019t fit in the scale of the rest of the neighborhood,\u201d said board member Joy Cohen, \u201cand if there was any way to reduce the scale of it so it didn\u2019t appear to be such a large building, it would tie in closer to the rest of the buildings in that neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand that it is by-right,\u201d added board member Matthew Malozi. \u201cThe mass, bulk and scale are not compatible with the existing neighborhood. It does stick out.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Villani has owned the land since September 2021, according to Northampton County records, purchasing it for $260,000.<\/p>\n
Resident Janet Barry was worried about the influx of apartment buildings in the city.<\/p>\n