Allentown · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Peregrine Tower Mixed-Use Development & Sight Triangle
Developers are proposing a major 37-story mixed-use apartment building at 90 S 9th Street, which would significantly alter downtown Allentown's skyline and housing options.
Workforce Housing Mandates for Publicly Funded Projects
Council is considering a new rule requiring larger apartment projects to include affordable units or pay a fee-in-lieu, mirroring a law in Easton.
Nuisance Abatement and Problem Properties
Allentown established a new vacant property registry requiring registration for properties empty over 90 days. The goal is to help police and fire crews track empty buildings and prevent them from turning into blighted properties.
W. Emaus Avenue Data Center Conversion
City council enacted robust zoning amendments to regulate data centers, addressing public concerns over noise, environmental impacts, and resource consumption.
Housing Trust Fund Implementation and Pilot Programs
Allentown is planning how to spend over $1 million collected from a recent deed transfer tax hike. Officials discussed four major housing programs, including homebuyer rehabs, home repairs for seniors, tax abatements, and daycare facility upgrades.
Allentown Works Recompete Program Implementation
City officials and partners are rolling out eight core component projects under a $20 million federal grant designed to remove employment barriers for residents in center-city neighborhoods through resource navigation, job training, child care upgrades, and industrial site redevelopment.
Allentown Housing Authority Programs and Homeownership Initiatives
The Allentown Housing Authority is working to provide safe, affordable housing and help low-income renters transition into first-time homeowners. Council members discussed the challenges of limited housing inventory, federal funding constraints, and ensuring residents know about home-buying assistance programs.
Little Lehigh Phase 2 Affordable Housing Development
Elon Affordable Housing presented plans for Phase 2 of the Little Lehigh project, bringing 35 new affordable apartments and community space. The board easily approved minor height and roof design variances so the new buildings match Phase 1.
Vacant and At-Risk Property Registry
The city is considering a new ordinance to track vacant residential and commercial properties, requiring registration fees, lighting, and inspections to curb blight and improve first responder safety.
Joint Multifamily Development at 2300 Hanover Ave
Developers are pushing forward with a 307-unit apartment complex spanning Allentown and Bethlehem, needing variances for roof styles and street access. Neighbors are furious over potential traffic gridlock at Hanover and Broad, building height, and neighborhood character.
Southside Homes Townhouse Development & Flood Concerns
Residents pushed back hard against a new six-townhome project at 401 Harrison Street, warning that the site is prone to severe flooding and that the narrow alleyway cannot handle extra vehicles. Commissioners sympathized with the neighbors but ultimately approved the project with conditions, noting it met the city's technical zoning rules.
Redevelopment and Density on North 8th Street
Developers want to replace two rundown storefronts with a seven-story, 23-unit apartment building to boost walkability and housing supply. While neighbors complained about crime and blight on the block, the board ultimately backed the project because the current buildings lack historic value and the new design fits the area's transition zone.
Establishment of a Year-Round Emergency Low-Barrier Shelter
Participants addressed the impending closure of winter sheltering options, encampment coordination ahead of summer, and the need for a regional homelessness coordinator.
Lehigh Riverfront High-Density Redevelopment and Architectural Integration
The commission reviewed four major high-rise residential and mixed-use developments along North Front Street and Riverside Drive. Commissioners and residents debated whether the modern design aesthetic adequately connects to the riverfront, preserves historic context, and addresses cumulative parking and infrastructure challenges.