Allentown · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Allentown public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Sidewalk and Curb Postponement Requests
The developer of Seven Brew on S Cedar Crest Boulevard is asking to delay required sidewalk and curb installations for several years.
Cable franchise agreements with RCN and Verizon
New franchise agreements with RCN and Verizon would govern cable service rights-of-way and franchise fees in the city. Both ordinances are being introduced and sent to committee.
Dog park rule changes
Bill 83 would update the dog park ordinance — renaming the park, eliminating key fobs, and refreshing the rules for users.
Banquet Facility Proposal at 170 Allen St
City Star Management is applying to open a small indoor banquet facility at 170 Allen Street. The board will evaluate how this entertainment venue fits into the residential-office mix neighborhood.
Police station and fire/health building right-sizing
The city scrapped the $40 million police station expansion for a renovation approach under energy-savings legislation and cut the fire/health building from $65 million to about $45 million, cutting next year's borrowing to $30 million.
Elimination of GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage
The city stopped covering GLP-1 medications for weight loss starting 2027 after spending ballooned from $470,000 to nearly $3 million in two years. Coverage remains for medical conditions.
Litter Reduction and Containerization Strategies
The council is pushing forward with litter reduction efforts, utilizing community surveys to evaluate waste containerization strategies across the city.
HR Position Upgrade and Budget Reallocation
Allentown is upgrading an existing HR receptionist position to a constituent services specialist equipped with tracking software. This change aims to improve how the city handles and responds to resident inquiries and service requests.
Election Board Structure Referendum
Lehigh County voters are getting a say this November on whether to expand our tiny three-person election board to five members. The big change here would bring independent and third-party voices directly into how local elections are managed.
Golf Course Staff Reclassifications and Pay Adjustments
Allentown is upgrading two key golf course jobs to higher pay scales so they can finally fill a six-month vacancy and compete with other Lehigh Valley courses. The golf course is currently bringing in revenues above target and funding its own operations.
Planning Commission Appointment and Ethics Review
Council tabled a mayoral appointment to the Planning Commission after raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the appointment process.
Signage Variance Request at 232 N 2nd St
Casa Guadalupe Center is seeking approval to install significantly more signage than normally allowed in their neighborhood center district.
Vehicle Repair Use Variance at 1525 Hanover Ave
A property owner sought permission to operate a minor car repair shop in a residential-office corridor zone. The board weighed the neighborhood impact of vehicle overflow against the applicant's promise of appointment-only service, adding strict monitoring rules.
Lead Service Line Replacement
Allentown just scored $15.4 million to swap out old, dangerous lead water pipes. This means cleaner, safer drinking water straight from your tap without you having to worry about what's in it.
County Budget
Lehigh County is pushing forward with a preliminary 2027 budget that features a huge 17% tax hike, and a final vote is happening soon. If you own property or pay taxes in the area, this is going to hit your wallet hard.
Hanover Avenue and Linden Street Traffic Signal Installation
The city is installing a new traffic signal at Hanover Avenue and Linden Street using a $560,000 state grant, which local officials note is long overdue.
Disruptive Conduct Reports (DCRs) for Rental and Owner-Occupied Units
The city uses DCRs to track tenant disturbances and prompt landlord action, while noting a growing challenge with disruptive behavior in owner-occupied homes.
Human Relations Commission Administrative Updates
The Human Relations Commission scheduled a virtual training session regarding state and local HRC roles, alongside standard administrative updates and committee reports. These ongoing administrative procedures ensure commissioners stay informed on civil rights enforcement and community outreach.
Business License Fee Increase (Bill 65)
The city is actively auditing and pursuing remote online retailers and out-of-state corporations under economic nexus standards to collect business privilege taxes on goods delivered into Allentown.
Urban Canopy and Storm Recovery
Council approved a $16,080 contract with Brown Design Corp using a bid waiver to create a landscape and tree replacement plan for West Park following severe storm damage that destroyed mature heritage trees.
Medical Office Building Development on Tilghman Street
Jaindl Land Company is proposing to replace an old restaurant with a two-story medical office building, bringing new healthcare services to the western edge of the city.
Electric Vehicle Fleet Expansion
The city is using leftover state and federal grant money to buy one more electric car for the parks and recreation team, making it easier for staff to visit parks and run programs cleanly.
Ithaca Park Pavilion Construction
Allentown is shifting unspent aquatics program funds to build a new shade pavilion at Ithaca Park so children in the summer playground program have cover from rain and heat.
Fire Department Administrative Staffing
Allentown is upgrading a part-time fire clerk position to full-time to handle daily administrative tasks and keep the office open all day. The change costs almost nothing extra since the funds were already mostly set aside.
Special Ad Hoc Municipal Police Fire Postretirement Adjustment
The board considered postretirement adjustments for police and fire retirees to help offset cost-of-living impacts. These adjustments affect retirement income security for long-serving public safety personnel.
Firefighter Pension and Disability Requests
The Fire Pension Board processed and approved standard retirement packages for four departing Allentown firefighters, ensuring they receive their earned annual benefits.
Controller's Office Intern Process Audits
College interns researched and documented three key city processes—procurement, accounts payable, and special events—to help identify areas for efficiency and stronger internal controls. These audits help the city catch errors or fraudulent billing and streamline everyday operations.
Subdivision and Lot Variances at 406 N Fair St
A homeowner asked the board to let him keep a gazebo and shed that sit too close to property lines and a public alley. The board denied the request because he couldn't prove a legal hardship and wasn't able to confirm exact property boundaries.
Parking and Buffering Variances at 2613 South St
Horizon Church is seeking permission for parking placement, lighting, and minimal landscaping buffers at their site.
Slope Disturbance Relief for New Home at 510-524 W Normandy St
Alec and Allison Puketza are asking for permission to build a single-family home on steeply sloped land exceeding local limits.
Civil Service Rules Review
The board initiated a series of meetings dedicated to reviewing and updating established civil service rules.
Disposition and Rehabilitation of 532 N. Law St.
Council transferred a troubled, city-owned property to the Redevelopment Authority to be repaired and turned into affordable housing.
Union Boulevard Used Car Dealership Use Variance
A property owner asked to open a used car dealership in a former staffing office on Union Boulevard. Because the city's new zoning code designates that area for mixed residential and office use rather than car lots, and the owner couldn't prove a legal hardship, the board denied the request.
Emergency Roof Repair Loan Repayment
The city received a $50,000 repayment from Community Action Lehigh Valley for an advanced HUD loan that helped seniors get urgent roof repairs done.
June 2026 Financial Reports Review
The committee examined the city's financial standing and budgetary performance for the month of June.
New Child Care Center on St. John Street
A local family child care operator is expanding to care for more children, which requires verifying that an adequate number of off-street parking spaces are available.
Adaptive Reuse Housing on North 7th Street
A property owner is converting an old vacant warehouse space into six affordable apartments with dedicated parking across the street. The board approved it with minor conditions like bike racks and lighting.
Comprehensive Review of Authorities, Boards, and Commissions
The administration announced plans to undertake a thorough review of all city boards, authorities, and commissions to clean up inactive bodies and consolidate underperforming groups.
Public Works Staffing Reorganization
The city is converting several hard-to-fill part-time compliance and custodial positions into full-time roles to retain workers and properly clean city buildings without raising taxes.
Commercial-to-Residential Conversion at 1453 Linden St.
A long-vacant commercial space at 15th and Linden streets will be converted into a new apartment unit, bringing new life to a building that has struggled to attract commercial tenants for years.
Procurement Monopoly
Allentown is taking on major fire truck manufacturers over alleged price gouging and unfair monopolies, which directly affects how your tax dollars are spent on emergency gear. If these practices go unchecked, local taxpayers could end up paying way too much for basic public safety equipment.
Love Your Block Grant Appropriation
The city was scheduled to accept a $60,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to fund neighborhood improvement projects through the Love Your Block program.
Property Deconversion and Garbage Billing Disputes
A long-time property owner raised concerns over the transparency and financial burden of the city's property deconversion process after being billed $3,000 for unused rental units.
Youth Air Quality Citizen Science Pilot
The Environmental Advisory Council announced an upcoming public educational forum on air quality in collaboration with local environmental agencies.
Allentown Municipal Golf Course Irrigation Upgrade
City Council approved an $82,400 contract with GIS, LLC to plan and design a new irrigation system for the municipal golf course, aiming to improve course maintenance and water management.
Allentown Fire and EMS Equipment Upgrade
The fire department is getting state grant money to replace outdated hoses and nozzles, some of which are from the 1990s and cost nearly $1,800 each.
Municipal Vehicle Accountability and Controller Audit
The city controller reported a p-card audit finding where a city vehicle illegally passed a stopped school bus, sparking debate over driver accountability and union contracts.
Property Taxes
Allentown just ranked near the top nationwide for brutal property taxes, meaning local leaders are about to feel a ton of heat to finally fix the broken tax system.
17th Street Corridor Traffic Signal Redesign
Allentown is moving forward with traffic signal upgrades and emergency preemption technology at four key 17th Street intersections to improve traffic flow and safety near schools and hospitals.
Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer for The Felix Restaurant
A developer wants to move a liquor license from South Whitehall Township to the former TGI Fridays at 395 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard to open a new sit-down restaurant. The project promises to bring 60 to 70 jobs and revitalize a vacant commercial space.