435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, Pa. 18101

Allentown

Minutes - Final

City Council

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

6:00 PM

Council Chambers

Roll Call

7 -

Present:

Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Ed Zucal, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida

Affa, and Santo Napoli

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Allentown City Council will consider for possible adoption an Ordinance

amending the Zoning Code of the City of Allentown, § 660-6. Definitions, Community Center, by

removing the meal preparation and provision for only senior citizens limitation within the community

center definition. The definition of Community Center would read as follows: A building used for

recreational, social, educational and cultural activities owned and/or operated by a public or nonprofit

group or agency. Any residential uses or a treatment center shall only be permitted if they also comply

with the requirements for such use.

City Council will consider the foregoing at a Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM in

Council Chambers, 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. Copies of the full text of this Ordinance

are available to any interested party for examination and copying at the City Clerk’s Office or for

inspection during regular business hours at the offices of this newspaper and the Lehigh County

Department of Law. All documents can also be found on the City website. City Council may adopt this

amendment to the Zoning Ordinance at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting at 6:30 PM on

June 18, 2025 immediately following this Public Hearing.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that the purpose of this hearing is to take

comments from the public on Bill 16. Because of questions that have been

raised, we will begin the meeting with a review of the petition from Jennifer

Gomez, the Planning Director. After her review, we will take comments

from the Public – please fill out a card in the back of the room if you

can – you will be asked for your name and address when you are at

the podium. After public comments we will adjourn the meeting. The Bill is

on City Council’s agenda for adoption. At that time, we will open

up the discussion to the dais.

Mr. Michael Hanlon asked should he read the Bill into the read first.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated yes.

Mr. Michael Hanlon read Bill 16 - Amending Chapter 660 (ZONING) of the

City of Allentown Zoning Ordinance by amending Section 660-6 by

removing the meal preparation provision for only senior citizens limitation

within the community center definition and to read as follows: a building

used for recreational social and educational cultural activities owned - or

operated by a public or nonprofit group or agency. Any residential uses or

treatment center shall be committed if they also comply with the

requirement for such a use.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Hanlon and stated now, Ms. Gomez if you

would.

Ms. Jennifer Gomez stated hi, good evening. Jennifer Gomez, Planning

Director for the city. She stated that Mr. Hanlon just read in the definition of

Community Center. The application before you today is simply to amend

that definition. She stated that the amendment would be to remove the

specific provision of meals for senior citizens and open it up more broadly

to any meal provision. No further amendments besides that definition

change would be made today. No decision on any particular property

would be made today as well. The current Petitioner, RCI Properties owns

a property within the city at 1539 Chew Street that was denied a special

exception for a Community Center by the city's zoning hearing board. The

Zoning Hearing Board decision cited concerns that the applicant failed to

prove the use would not negatively impact the residential neighborhood

and that the use exceeded the existing definition of community center. That

became a subject of litigation between RCI and Village Properties on the

Zoning Hearing Board. She stated that for this particular action, the

applicant is seeking to remove the ambiguity related to senior citizens.

The requirement for a special exception approval which will have a public

meeting, if it is within a residential context would remain. Currently, in

today's Zoning Code, a community center is allowed by right within most

business districts and in industrial districts and by Special Exception and in

most residential zoning districts. The city is currently preparing an

amendment or a broader amendment re-write to the city's Zoning Code.

The new definition that they are proposing would actually remove the

specific language to senior citizens as well. The Petitioner claims that the

senior citizen is not defined in the Zoning Ordinance which staff agrees

with. The current provision restricting meals to senior citizens would be

difficult to enforce and could results in ambiguities which could never

enforcement to legal challenges. In many respects, the provision of meals

could be considered customarily incidental to certain uses. With this said,

the Planning Commission offered a positive comment to this particular

application as did the LVC Planning Commission. They did receive a lot of

comments and questions on this particular application. She stated that they

thought it would be helpful to clarify, again the particular application. This

decision is regarding the definition. It is not a decision to allow a use at a

specific location, particularly the one owned by the applicant which has a

residential zoning district and a requirement for a special exception

approval which will go before the Zoning Hearing Board. She stated that

she wants to note that at the Planning Commission, when this was heard,

the Planning Commission Chair specifically asked the applicant if the

decision and the definition was changed would they submit a new

application and apply again as a community center and have a Public

Hearing before the city's Zoning Hearing Board and they said yes. The

Chair clarified again, your intent is not to resolve this with the courts if the

definition was to change. They responded no. They would file a new

application. She will say that she personal followed up with the applicant

and she confirmed again that their attempt if this were to change will be to

file a new application which would be subject to a Public Hearing by our

Zoning Hearing Board. She stated that it might be helpful to have that

applicant say that on the record tonight since that has been the point of a lot

of confusion and questions. For the Zoning Hearing Board to approve a

Special Exception use, the applicant must present evidence to proof that

the use would result in either a Traffic Study would be denied if it was found

to result in a traffic safety hazard, a public health or safety hazard. The

negative impact on the desirable character of the residential neighborhood

and other criteria of the code so at that time, if there was an application

made within a residential zoning district, those are the criteria's that the

Zoning Hearing Board would follow to make a decision at that time. She

also noted for the record. As mentioned, we are moving forward with a

Zoning re-write. She stated just to provide a little update on that, they just

submitted the advertisement for the Public Hearing to start the process

through the Allentown City Planning Commission. It is the planning agency

and a little out of the ordinary. The process typically and this Bill would be

introduced by Council first because it is such a massive rewrite. It would

actually restart with the Planning Commission to go to City Council to be

introduced and then follow the normal protocol. She stated that they have

some extra steps to follow and they are going to start that process and the

advertised for the July 8th Planning Commission meeting to start that

process. She stated that this concludes her comments and stated that she

is available for any questions.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Ms. Gomez.

Ms. Kristina Schware, 118 S. 16th Street, asked is this the right time to talk

about.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated yes, please. When you name is called come up

to the podium and speak to them.

Ms. Kristina Schware stated that she was not ready to be first. She stated

that her concern about the changes in Zoning has to do with what she has

seen in her own neighborhood and what has been allowed and what has

been ignored. She stated that she read lots of the attachments that were

on for today's agenda. She stated that some of the things that stood out to

her were the fact that it says including, but not limited to all prior Zoning

Ordinances and amendments for other parts of prior zoning ordinances

and amendments, including fire, zoning maps that are inconsistent here

within our hereby repealed. She stated that she looked at other things and

the letter from Mike Handzo, the Zoning Director. She stated that she did

not and stated let her just because she has concerns because she is close

to West Park. She has seen other issues that they had contacted Zoning

about prior. Having to do with Rooming Houses, illegal car shops and

garages. She sees and hear from Zoning that they don't have the time to

check everything out. That they are short staffed. That they rely on the

public and yet as she says this, they give preemptive concerns to Zoning

about properties that are potentially going to be used for a Zoning Request

that is not in line. It was on the Zoning Ordinance now. She stated that her

concern with this is that it is going to open up for more people to do

whatever they want in any neighborhood regardless of what the neighbors

want it or don't want it. She stated that she just doesn't see current Zoning

being enforced. She stated that she doesn't see how it says that anyone

who wishes to do this have to submit a Zoning application. She stated that

she has seen so many people or so many properties who bypass the

Zoning application and are just fine and everything just remains as is and

hunky dory despite numerous requests and concerns from our neighbors.

She stated that is her concern with this. In fact it would not be enforced.

Ms. Sherri Binder, Executive Director of Ripple Community, Inc. - 1553 W.

Turner Street, stated and a resident of 16th Street. She stated that she just

wanted to start of her comments by affirming what Ms. Gomez mentioned

earlier that as our organization and has a Project that they are doing at 16th

and Chew. After this decision is made, our intention is to submit a new

application to the Zoning Hearing Board for the Special exception request

related to a Community Center use at that specific property. She stated

that she just wants to reiterate that for the record as requested. She stated

today it is not about that property. She stated that today she is here along

with their nonprofit partners and other supporters to ask Council to remedy

an issue in the current Zoning Ordinance that impacts all nonprofit

community centers in the city of Allentown. The current definition of

Community Center in the Zoning Ordinance includes ambiguous language

as has been mentioned around meal service to senior citizens and this was

highlighted at a recent decision by a Lehigh Court of Common Pleas

Judge where the Judge interpreted the language in the current zoning code

to mean that nonprofit Community Centers might only serve meals to senior

citizens, exclusively to senior citizens. She stated as you know nonprofit

organizations in Allentown serve vital functions to ensure our neighbors are

well cared for. She stated that one of the ways they do this is by serving

meals. These are meals that ensure that people aren't going without food,

but they are also making sure that our neighbors aren't lonely, aren't

isolated, but instead are connected and valued in community and that

matters. With the recent decision with the Lehigh County Court of Common

Pleas, they are currently in a situation where every nonprofit Community

Center in the city of Allentown that serves meals to anyone other than

senior citizens is now out of compliance with the Zoning. She stated that

means that is affecting our CI at our current location on the new street. It is

affecting Daybreak which is run by the Conference of Churches. It is

affecting Big Brothers, Big Sisters. It is affecting every nonprofit community

center. They are talking about nonprofits that serve meals to adults with

physical and mental disabilities. She stated that they are talking about

organizations that serve veterans, youth, children in our community, people

who are isolated. She stated that they are here asking Council to make

this change to the Zoning Code so that nonprofits, like the ones here

tonight can continue to serve meals to members of our community who we

know struggle with food insecurity. She stated that she is representing an

organization and asked for the five minutes, instead of the three minutes.

She stated that she wanted to share and they are asking Council to take

action now because we understand the Zoning Code is being revised or

organization like are at risk in the interim. She just wants to share a story

or something that happened to them recently to illustrate that. In this

moment, they are at risk of being reported in being in violation of our

Zoning approval in our current location which could result in a fine or

sensation of services or other consequences. She stated that she wishes

she can say to them, they can assume that it would never happen. They

could just assume that this will go on until the new Zoning Code is

implemented. She stated that, but they cannot. She stated last fall, a

person came into our Community Center, introduced herself as an

investigator from the Pennsylvania State Department office of the

prosecuting attorney. She was there because out plaintiffs had filed a

complaint with the Department of State claiming that RCI were providing

unlicensed medical services in our community center. They were obliged

to investigate, not just them, but in turn our partners at Valley Health

Partners and St. Luke's. These fully licensed entities that provide medical

services at our community center. She stated that complaint was

dismissed ultimately of course because the claims were false and the were

baseless, but the complaint was nevertheless an attempt to cause harm to

our organization and to our community members and it resulted in a

considerable ways of resources. She stated ours, our partners and not

much in the states. She shared this to underscore the importance of

approving this amendment and approving this tonight. Nonprofit

community centers make our cities healthier and they make it stronger and

they deserve our support. She encouraged them to lend that support

tonight in keeping with the support that is already been shown by the

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. The Allentown Planning Commission

and the city's bureau of Planning and Zoning. All of whom have indicated

support for this change.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Ms. Binder.

Mr. Michael Hanlon stated Melissa Zembc.

Ms. Melissa Zembc, 1314 1/2 W Chew Street, stated that all of them in this

room is silently struggling with something at the moment. Maybe job,

family, health, money, but is it how we are going to get our next meal. She

rushed after work knowing that she would have a late dinner, but she is ok

because she had breakfast lunch, snack and coffee today. She stated that

she can't imagine knowing when or where she would get food. These

centers give us a sense of security to our fellow community members, like it

or not. She stated that they are part of us and they are our neighbors. She

stated that she can't actually believe that this is a discussion right now. She

asked who is anyone to define and decide who deserves a meal and who

could serve them. She stated that she lives in the neighborhood and asked

does she have gripes, absolutely. Parking, yeah, that's a big one, but no

matter what she does she can't change it and stated tonight when she

leaves here she will probably park a block away, if she is walking. At least

she knows that she will be going home to food and security. The centers

are crucial for our community. Even if they don't personally use them

ourselves. She stated that at the end of this, she encourage people who

are opposed to step out of your comfort zone. Go volunteer a few times.

Meet these people and she is sure that you will be pleasantly surprised and

change your mind. She stated that she support Bill 16 to encompass all

individuals who need a meal and hopes they will vote in favor of that.

Ms. Ibolya Balog, 1522 1/2 Chew Street, stated that she is here on behalf

of the West Park Civic Association and she would like to read a letter that

our association board has composed and signed. She gave a copy to Mr.

Hanlon. The board of the West Park Civic Association opposes pending

Bill #16 - 2025 in which City Council would redefine a Community Center.

West Park Civic Association understanding is that Bill #16 - 2025 has

been drafted based upon a request of Ripple Community, Inc to overturn

the decision of the Allentown Zoning Board and the subsequent meal

decision by Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas regarding Ripple's use

of Emmanuel Church as a drop in center serving Lehigh Valley homeless

population interpreted by Ripple Community Center. Since the founding of

West Park Civic Association in 1976, members and other neighborhood

residents have invested time, and improvements to reserve Allentown's

only downtown majority homeowner neighborhood with West Park at its

heart. The community and West Park Civic Association are animable to

Emmanuel Church transforming into below market rate apartments and

housing Ripple offices. However, residents of the West Park

neighborhood and in particular residents who reside in close proximity to

Emanuel Church are opposed to any Zoning variance to allow Ripple a

drop in facility at the Emmanuel Church. Citing the negative impact on the

community provided by well documented evidence presented to the Zoning

Board and the Lehigh County Common Court of Pleas. Both Agencies

ruled against Ripple's variance request. For City Council to propose a

change in Zoning definition to permit the proposed variance is at odds with

good governance especially troubling while the city is in the process of

updating its Zoning Code regulations. She stated respectfully submitted

the Board of the West Park Civic Association.

Ms. Margaretha Haeussler, 1406 Hamilton Street, stated good evening

and stated that one of the things that she thinks is somewhat maybe

troubling and/or confusing to her and when she looks at the current Rules

where a Community Center isn't permitted in a residential neighborhood

unless it is giving special exceptions and one of the things that is looked at

in the terms of that special exception is the impact on the neighborhood

that Community Center will have. It would seem to her that the historical

definition that we had which is to limit the amount of meals that would be

prepared and served at a Community Center is in a sense speaking to the

impact the density of use with the facility and therefore she is wondering

how this change in definition hasn't been really thought through in terms of

the impact of the granting of special exception to allow community centers

in the residential neighborhood. She stated that to her that is kind of an

inter-dependency and a linkage and it concerns her that while she is not

going to say serving meals to the population that needs it is certainly

something that we should be doing in the city. She stated that she is just

not sure they should be doing it in a residential area. It is that link of special

exception in the residential area and opening up the meals to a broader

population that troubles her. She stated that is something that should be

discussed in detail while they are doing the rezoning rewrite. They are

talking in a couple of weeks or in a few weeks, July 8th where they are

going to start the process. She would really like to request that Council let

their procedures follow out as they should as opposed to making a special

exception here for the request of a couple of nonprofits have made in a

sense short changed the communities opportunities to really discuss this in

more detail.

Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanks Ms. Haeussler.

Ms. Marie - Sophie Armstrong, 1516 W Turner Street, stated that there is

no room for doubt that Bill 16 was tailored made to circumvent the rulings of

both the Allentown Zoning Board and Lehigh County Court that ruled

against Ripple Communities request for variance for a community center at

the former Emanuel Church at 16th and Chew in the West Park

neighborhood. The West Park Community made clear its objections to the

community center and when the facts were considered prevailed. This is

how local government is supposed to work. When Ripples Community

appeal that ruling to Lehigh County Court, the community again came

together and again, prevailed based on the facts. Again, this is how local

government is supposed to work. Bill 16 is a perfect example of how

government is not supposed to work. When members of this body draft

legislation that makes the informed official rulings of local government

bodies effectively null and void while ignoring the will of the affected

community. It is betraying democracy and the idea of good government. All

this is to provide special favors to and insist on enforce this crap bag into a

very resistant round hole. She stated that this is text book bad government.

She stated that tonight, this body must decide will it side with the very

keenly expressed sections of the US residents of the West Park

neighborhood or will it participate in a run around express will of the people

and twin rulings of the Lehigh County Court and the Allentown Zoning

Board. She stated to trust in government has never been more in doubt

that it is these days. The people seen as reaching special favors done for

special interests are countered to theirs. She stated that the choice is

yours.

Mr. Arnaud (Arno) Armstrong, 835 Hamilton Street, stated that the proposal

that they were just discussing tonight maybe rooted in good intentions and

they may very well be ways to fulfill the spirit of this amendment in some

other way. This particular proposal attempts too much. Food pantries and

soup kitchens have guidelines that must be followed. These are guidelines

that protect the workers, those accessing these facilities and the broader

community. He stated on the other hand community centers are an entirely

different entity with an expressly different purpose. The city does not

presently permit any nonprofit to provide whatever services it pleases and

for good reason. He stated city officials must have the capacity to enforce

clear laws and guidelines for the purposes of achieving health and safety.

This amendment will make this less than impossible. He stated that they

have no way of knowing how many community centers would take

advantage of this blanket provision. It is not difficult to imagine that the city

would struggle immensely to conduct the health, safety oversight necessary

to make this work. Food service is a difficult and complicated process.

Community centers and shelters have their own unique and difficult needs

as well, especially in terms of city services. Is the city prepared to do the

strenuous work of conducting necessary health and safety oversight for

possibly dozens of new large scale food preparation facilities that would

serve a notable number of people from an unknowable number of places.

He asked does APD and the Parking Authority have resources to spare to

do their jobs as it relates to an influx of these facilities. Most people will

assume that the answer is no. He stated that we don't want to find out and

risk being correct. There are other potential downstream affects as well.

At what point does a community center become something else entirely.

He asked what would be the difference between a soup kitchen, a

community center, and a shelter. If all three suddenly have more or less

with the same capabilities. He stated blurring these lines will not serve

residents, nonprofits or vulnerable populations and only sow confusion and

creates legal and administrative headaches for the city. He stated beyond

this, they have to consider a very likely outcome. What happens if any

community center in the city can turn itself into a de facto daytime shelter. If

this Council believes that the residents of the City of Allentown want this

and does this Council wants to spend future years trying to untangle the

administrative and legal consequences of what that would entail. He stated

to finish at a time when many cities are reconsidering their decision to

enact policies similar to this. Allentown can do well to learn from other

municipalities and handle zonings considerations like these carefully. He

stated that he hopes that they are not the subjects of an experiment on

Allentown's neighborhoods. He thanked them for their consideration.

Mr. Scott Armstrong, 1516 Turner Street, stated that yesterday was an

op-ed in The Morning Call supporting Bill 16. It was written by someone

from South Whitehall. A nice leafy suburb. He stated that they call us

nibbies because we don't want a de facto homeless shelter, drop in center

in our neighborhood. He stated that they already experiencing increase of

homelessness in West Park. People are sleeping under trees along side

his fence, defecating in his alley. He stated that he has been subjected to

abuse and somebody publicly exposed themselves when he said please

don't urinate on my back gate. This is already happening. Now the people

from South Whitehall and from other areas and nice leafy suburbs not in

Allentown are all in on this. He asked who is bending the knee here. He

stated that he will admit, he does not want this in his backyard. It is not a

question of aesthetics, it is a question of public safety. He stated that he

and his wife have lived here for 33 years. It is a very clear fact that a lot of

homeless people are drug addicted, mentally ill or both. He stated that his

heart goes out to them. He stated that this problem is bigger than any one

of us in this room or this city. They closed all the state hospitals years ago

and these people are left to suffer on their own, but attracting them to the

last stable neighborhood in Allentown will only under mind that

neighborhood and add it to the list of the other failed neighborhood. He

asked is that want we want. This Ripple Project can be done in countless

other areas in the city. Why is it in West Park, close to a gorgeous city

park, the band shell. He stated that this will all be undermined and this is a

step towards that.

Ms. Susan Karporich, 1513 W Turner Street, stated she also live in the

West Park neighborhood and she supports this Bill. She stated that she

volunteers every Tuesday at RCI and never feel in danger and she doesn't

think hunger ask for an ID card. If someone comes to the window, and they

are hungry and want food, we feed them. She stated that is a good human

response. It should have nothing to do with Rules or anything else. If

someone is hungry we should get them food. She stated that she

understands that tonight is about rewarding and the language in the Bill that

says not just senior citizens. It is not about the Project. It is not about

anything else, it is about the language and the language from a purely

human point of view should not say senior citizens. If any person comes up

to her and they are hungry, she will feed them and every community

organization in this city should be allowed to do the same thing. If they are

not then shame on the city.

Mr. Darian Colbert stated dear Councilmembers and said that he is a

property owner N. Third Street. He is also a part of the Franklin Park

community group and he care deeply about our city supports this

neighborhood. He urged them to vote yes on Bill 16 - 2025. The current

zoning limits and provisions at community centers and senior citizens only.

That restriction does not reflect the real needs for our neighborhoods.

Families, young people, working adults and elderly all gather at these

centers. They share meals and build connections and support one another

and that is what a community is. This is not about loosening standards, it is

about recognizing the value of nonprofit and public efforts that feed and

care for our residents. Our communities are strong when centers serve

everyone walks through the doors and not just select groups. As someone

who actively involved in walk happening on the ground, he asked them to

pass this Bill and let's give community centers the freedom to meet people

where they are and offer what they need. He thanked them for listening and

their leadership and also wants to say no one wakes up and say I want to

be a nonprofit leader and stated that they do this because they care and

this hard work.

Ms. Sierra Valentino stated good evening members of Council and stated

that she serves as a nonprofit leader her in Allentown. She stated that she

lives and work here in the city and her zip code is 18102. She stated as a

resident, a friend and partner of Ripple Community Inc and someone

working closely with neighbors across Center City, she knows firsthand that

Community Centers are more than just buildings where folks from all walks

of life can gather. There are places of welcome, of safety, and of care,

especially for those who are often overlooked and excluded. She stated

that shared meals are not just about food, they are about connections and

they are the most affective and relationable ways that people in our

community can meet one another where they are at and begin the slow and

important work in building trust, honoring the resilience of all the members

of our community and working for meaningful change in our neighborhoods.

The Zoning Code current restriction which allows meals to be served to

senior citizens, but not to all adults and children are placing unnecessary

and harmful barriers in the way of the kind of care that she thinks Allentown

represents. She stated that residents and organizations, like so many in

this room are doing the daily work of making sure that our neighbors are

not forgotten. She stated that she is asking that you consider that work

when you are voting for this Bill and that you help to ensure that the Zoning

Reflects the inclusive and compassionate city that we strive to be. She

thanked them for their time and leadership.

Ms. Angela Moyer, 1321 Hamilton Street, stated that she will read the

email that she sent. She strongly urged all members of Council to vote in

support Bill 16 to change the Zoning Code to permit community centers in

the city to provide meals and essential services to anyone in need, not just

senior citizens. She stated that she voted for almost all of them as you

have pledged to serve the residents in this community and interrupt it to

mean not just her as a voter, but all of the residents in our community. She

stated that our community is at its best when we are engaged in supporting

one another and finder solutions together. The existing Community

Centers and nonprofit are placing that do this well. Inclusive and

accessible community centers are essential for the thriving of our

community. Please support this Bill so that no one is hungry doing difficult

and vulnerable times in their lives, especially given our national situation

where food stamps are at risk, Medicaid is at risk and all of these things

are immediate needs in our community and they have the potential to only

increase in the needs that our neighbors have. She urged them to support

this Bill so that the needs of our community are met as City Council

representatives. You are the ones that have the opportunity to make this

city and make our laws reflect what the citizens in this community want and

we certainly want everyone to have food, access as well as safe places to

be together and support one another and be engaged in our community

and care for one another.

Ms. Alicia Moyer, stated hello and said her name and live her in Allentown

at 1413 W. Linden Street. She stated that she supports Bill 16. This Bill is

ultimately about removing language that restricts who can receive food at

community centers. She doesn't believe food access should be

controversial. She stated that she hopes they vote in favor of Bill 16 so that

community centers can continue to care for our neighbors here in the city of

Allentown.

Ms. Laura Grace, 621 W., Gordon Street, stated good evening and stated

that she works for a local nonprofit and her population that she serves are

homeless individuals ages 18 to 24. She stated that primarily the people

that she works with lives somewhere in the city of Allentown and use these

drop in centers quite frequently, especially during the winter. She stated

that she guesses the only thing she wants to say is this Bill is just changing

words. None of the agencies that are asking for this change are planning

on changing what they are already doing. Things are going to change, it is

the legality of what is already happening because stating we are already

helping our neighbors that need the help. It is just with the way it is worded

right now is not legal. She stated that she just wanted to address that

because people are concerned about what is happening here.

Ms. Rose Binder, 2715 W Livingston Street, stated she is a Pastor and

over the years living in Allentown, she has had folks that relied on the Boys

and Girls Club, on RCI, on Daybreak. They were vital services that she can

partner with and work with. She stated that she was really surprised to find

out that the Judge pointed out this part of this Zoning law that said you know

what, this isn't legal what you are doing. She stated that she was very

surprised as many of them were. She thinks it is really important to say

let's we want to support and it is al

15-7500

Bill No. 16 – 2025

An Ordinance amending the Zoning Code of the City of Allentown, Section

660-6, by removing the meal preparation and provision to only senior

citizens limitation within the community center definition and to read as

follows: A building used for recreational, social, educational and cultural

activities owned and/or operated by a public or nonprofit group or agency.

Any residential uses or a treatment center shall only be permitted if they

also comply with the requirements for such use.

Affa and Gerlach

Sponsors: