absolutely not even close to prior Zoning codes. It even says that it would
make the issue more dense. He stated that they already have people and
it is overcrowded downtown. He stated that they heard the gentlemen talk
about there will be more spaces for bikes and things like that, but with more
development and residential development as well, you are going to have
more families, more cars and it has been nothing talked about the parking
issue which they already have a parking issue. he stated that he is not
comfortable voting on this at this time. He stated maybe in the future if they
can come up with a better way to settle the overcrowding. He stated that
obviously he will not be here for that, but then he would probably consider it,
but not at this time. He thanked Mr. Hendricks.
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Zucal. He asked anybody else on the
dais.
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he will jump in. He stated that it has been a
long time coming for this and he can say that there has been a lot of
meetings and a lot of Zoom calls. This has been one the most extensive
processes he ever seen. The amount of work that came in from
consultants from our city staff. He stated that this was shared with the
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission which really applauded the new
Zoning Guidelines. The Planning Commission played a part, the Zoning
Board, EAC, and it really when people talk about Zoning, it is really about
how are we going to look at the city in the next 30, 40, 50 years. He stated
that they look at affordable housing and talk about it all the time. The
Zoning is a foundation for encouraging affordable housing. He stated that
they can't do affordable housing without updated zoning laws. Creating
jobs, whether it is small businesses, small manufacturing stating this new
zoning will helping create jobs. He stated that it will add density in the right
places. He stated that he knows for a fact that there were many instances
where they looked at different parts of the city and said this is not an
adequate place for more density. The zoning was appropriately updated in
a way that density where there was opportunity for it. He stated that he is
all about jobs. He stated that he is a job creator and all for affordable
housing and the way they are going to accomplish and achieve those goals
is to update our zoning. He stated great job by your team and stated that
he appreciates all the hard work. He thanked Mr. Hendricks.
Mr. Daryl Hendricks thanked Mr. Napoli. He asked anybody else. He
asked if there were any comments from the public. He said seeing none
and he too what to add his congratulations to the team for the hard work.
He stated that this was not an easy undertaking. It is not done that often for
that reason, but thinks they were very diligent regardless how others may
feel about it. It is a lot of work. He stated that they need to be commended
for the great job you did in presenting this. He stated thank you on behalf of
Council.
6 -
Yes:
Cynthia Mota, Daryl Hendricks, Natalie Santos, Ce-Ce Gerlach, Candida Affa, and
Santo Napoli
