435 Hamilton Street  
Allentown, Pa. 18101  
Allentown  
Minutes - Final  
Community and Economic Development Committee  
Wednesday, February 22, 2023  
5:30 PM  
Roll Call: Chair Mota, Napoli, Affa  
3 - Cynthia Mota, Santo Napoli and Candida Affa  
Present:  
15-5648  
R47 Community and Economic Development Committee, forwarded  
favorably, 3-0  
Denial of a Certificate of Appropriateness – 1024 W. Chew Street  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: R47 HARB Resolution to DENY - 1024 W Chew St  
1024 W Chew Street -Final Review  
Resolution #30602  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that this is a situation that the individual  
homeowner installed a roof vent, and the roof vent is not in compliance with  
HARB regulations. It does not meet the Certificate of Appropriateness.  
The owner applied to HARB and HARB held a meeting. The denial is  
based o the fact that the vent does not comply with the HARB regulations.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any questions from the dais.  
Mr. Santo Napoli asked was the property owner aware of the HARB  
regulations.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated yes. They talked about penetration. They gave a  
number of options.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that it is hard to tell with this one picture. She  
asked if it is going to be repointed.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked what is the alternative.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that the alternative would be to vent in the back of  
the building, make it less visible, and not have a secondary heat source.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that the gentleman is not here.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he guess the option he chose was a more  
economical one. It doesn't mean it is the appropriate one.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that the staff was not adamant that this can't  
happen. They agree with the HARB Board that it is not in compliance.  
Ms. Candida Affa asked what are his choices now. Does he have to take  
this all down and repoint.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that he is going to repoint either way. He does not  
want to put the vent. He wants to put the vent, where he wants to put the  
vent. A direct wall vent was offered to the applicant. The applicant seemed  
willing to conceal the vent. The HARB Board felt it did not belong there.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the dais.  
This is what happens when people move in the Historic District.  
Sometimes they don't understand the regulations. He knew he was not in  
compliance, but yet he chose to.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that every person who buys a home in the Historic  
District receives a copy of the regulations.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he received a postcard two months ago letting  
him know that he is in the Historic Preservation area. The postcard  
detailed procedures going forward with maintaining the home.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that Meredith Keller has been here for well over a  
year and at least for the past year and a half has been regularly dealing with  
anybody that buys a home in the HARB and automatically and has been  
making sure that the website has been updated with the appropriate  
regulations.  
Ms. Candida Affa stated that it happened to her when she had her property  
at 247 with a bar. After 10 years, she moved up stairs and she inquired  
about that. A lot of the times, you know you are in a historic district and if  
you want to do something, you need to call and find out what you can and  
can not do.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the dais.  
She asked if there were any other comments from the public.  
Mr. Daryl Hendricks stated that he can see the problem if you start allowing  
people to do these things it kind of detracts from the area and makes your  
board ineffective. It is not an attractive thing to see on the side of the  
building when you have a nice brick which in itself is attractive.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated that it does not go along with the structure.  
A motion was made by Santo Napoli, seconded by Candida Affa, that this  
Resolution be approved for the denial.  
3 - Cynthia Mota, Santo Napoli and Candida Affa  
Enactment No: 30602  
Yes:  
15-5655  
Bill 8 Community and Economic Development Committee, forwarded  
favorably 3-0.  
Amending the Part Two General Legislation, Chapter 298 Flood Control,  
Article VIII Existing Structures in Identified Floodplain Areas, Section 38  
Improvements, Part E by repealing it in its entirety.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill 8 Flood Control Amendment  
Ordinance #15877  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that she has Hannah Hart, the Flood Plains  
Manager here on Teams. They have an ordinance that has been more  
complicated than it needed. It was confusing in the written in a language.  
Ms. Hannah Hart stated that the legislation was part of the original  
ordinance. It is perceived as a higher standard. It is not once that is part of  
the Pennsylvania Model Code. It is not once that FEMA has suggested for  
ordinances. The city is still in compliance with federal regulations.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that it is easiest to explain that this is regulations  
on improvements on existing structures and that the modifications  
reconstructions and improvement of any kind to the extent of the amount  
less than 50 percent of its market value has to be elevated or flood proofed  
to the greatest extent possible.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked what is the benefit of this again.  
Ms. Hannah Hart stated what FEMA requires that anytime there is  
improvements on an existing structure, if the money going into the  
improvements is 50 percent or more going to the market value than the  
structure has to go into full compliance with the flood control ordinance.  
When renovations and alterations are less than 50 percent, it doesn't need  
substantial improvement and the structure does not have to come into  
compliance. This language contradicts what FEMA intent on substantial  
improvement.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler talked about a renovation that costs $300 and now have a  
floodplain. If she is in a 600 structure she may have to, but if she is in a  
6,000 structure she does not have to adjust these tiny little changes.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais.  
Mr. Santo Napoli stated that he likes it because when they make things  
easier for folks it is always a good thing. Whether it is for customers or  
residents or employees. He is a big plain language guy. Making it easier  
for people to understand is always a good thing.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota stated especially for insurance purposes. She asked if  
there were any other comments from her colleagues or the public.  
A motion was made by Candida Affa, seconded by Santo Napoli, that this Bill be  
forwarded to Council.  
3 - Cynthia Mota, Santo Napoli and Candida Affa  
Enactment No: 15877  
Yes:  
15-5656  
Bill 9 Community and Economic Development Committee, forwarded  
favorably, 3-0.  
Provides for the expenditure of certain monies received by the City of  
Allentown under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of  
1976, as amended; The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid  
Transition to Housing Act of 2009; and Title II of the National Affordable  
Housing Act of 1990, as amended; for the purpose of undertaking  
programs of housing and community development within the city.  
Administration  
Sponsors:  
Attachments: Bill 9 DCED ESG Accounts  
Ordinance #15878  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated that her understanding is that the city has done  
year after year after year. It is simply allocating the funds. The Homeless  
Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition Housing Act requires the  
expenditure. The city has to allocate the funds.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any comments from the dais or the  
public.  
Mr. Santo Napoli asked if it is an annual cost or something that has not  
been made recently over the last couple of years.  
Ms. Vicky Kistler stated no, this is annual.  
Ms. Cynthia Mota asked if there were any other comments from the dais or  
the public.  
A motion was made by Candida Affa, seconded by Santo Napoli, that this that  
this Bill be forwarded to Council.  
3 - Cynthia Mota, Santo Napoli and Candida Affa  
Enactment No: 15878  
Yes:  
Updates: NONE  
Adjournment: 5:47 PM