BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 Plans for a new five-unit townhome project in West Bethlehem recently got approval by the city Zoning Hearing Board.<\/p>\n
Located at 1224 Eaton Ave.<\/a>, a third of a mile from the former Martin Tower site now home to medical office buildings, the \u201cnarrow\u201d project site would have three single-family townhomes in one cluster.<\/p>\n It also would have two semi-detached single-family homes in another cluster, according to developer Abe Atiyeh.<\/p>\n Project drawings list two-story buildings at 30 feet tall.<\/p>\n With the vote from zoners on Dec. 17, project plans moved forward with a dimensional variance allowing reduction in the lot area required per dwelling.<\/p>\n Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board<\/p>\n A multi-family apartment building sits to the east, and Heckenberger Dental operates to the west. Other residential areas surround the site.<\/p>\n With the vote from zoners on Dec. 17, project plans moved forward with a dimensional variance allowing reduction in the lot area required per dwelling.<\/p>\n It will mean a few feet off the width of the parking aisle and half-a-foot less for driveway setback \u201cfrom a residential property line when in a front yard,\u201d according to the meeting agenda<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fit surrounding uses<\/p>\n The townhome project, from Atiyeh and PAJ Venture LP, would be built behind an existing, occupied single-family home set to be retained.<\/p>\n \u201cReally it wants to add without subtracting.”<\/p>\n Attorney Michael Recchiuti<\/p>\n \u201cReally it wants to add without subtracting,\u201d applicant attorney Michael Recchiuti said.<\/p>\n Project officials said the lot was \u201cunderutilized\u201d and would fit among surrounding uses in the RG-Medium Density Residential Zoning District.<\/p>\n