[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6324355,"mediaKeyId","2338473-5883f6f5376f2fdbcc83328f21e9c5a2","parentId",2338473,"title","Hundreds of public comments urge Bethlehem council to adopt 'welcoming city' protections; council says policies under review","audioSeconds",7096,"startMs",3504000,"endMs",10600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338473-5883f6f5376f2fdbcc83328f21e9c5a2&start=3504&end=10600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338473-5883f6f5376f2fdbcc83328f21e9c5a2/thumbnail_3504000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324355/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Hundreds-of-public-comments-urge-Bethlehem-council-to-adopt-welcoming-city-protections-council-says-policies-under-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324355-dd284b3fb08123cb9ae1e29e1ff8a55b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775864123&Signature=YAXLJ~~CntR~5rCoE-akdltju6OqXW6b2ceAnH1qJKz7e5WE0trh08qvU3YdJH3J4Zq4d6H7ODSVjVLHYEKulOF1xhDogfJBMn7XhOmeSqLWRWmz36tBLLkiS09dJfGfsi7KtKfdENpynJSVbqsgDgsXcWqr0u5MU5ILgq8aDlYgB7cx0ACaSA4I7pewOgvbrJ30a58AP0tyNWsbNvfe2U7is-0CoOsXO222fa~Nnc-jJH9TGPadRbxq34qpnVD~CEvt3wtx9r12YT3XaiPDuIv3B5pQs-Cs9YMi~VvgSJUo8wgFu9VDQAI~b9J23KFYGnkFbWEapLOHJLstKSIy6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Bethlehem, PA","date","2025-02-19T03:47:23Z","article","Dozens of residents and students used the council’s public‑comment period Feb. 24 to press Bethlehem officials to draft and adopt a municipal ordinance to codify protections for immigrants and prohibit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement beyond what law requires.

Speakers called for policies that would bar city employees from asking about or recording immigration or citizenship status, prohibit voluntary assistance to immigration enforcement and require clear, public‑facing guidance in multiple languages. Many referenced Allentown’s recent ordinance (Bill 4) as a model and asked council to move quickly because of recent, well‑publicized nationwide immigration enforcement actions.

Why it matters: petitioners said codified rules would protect residents — including workers, students and families — from deportation and retaliation, strengthen trust between immigrant communities and city services, and ensure protections survive changes in administration.

Public testimony highlights

Regina Padilla described a family history tied to Bethlehem steel and urged council to “pass a welcoming city bill similar to the one passed in Allentown,” saying it would send a message that the city “welcomes all individuals regardless of their background.” Student and community speakers including Kieran (Lehigh student), Tommy Parisi and others asked council to make the protections permanent rather than leave them to internal policies that future administrations might change.

Several speakers said they or people they know have experienced immigration enforcement encounters in the Lehigh Valley; comments cited recent reports of raids and expressed fear about family separations, workplace raids and school‑site actions. Tommy Parisi, who supported codifying protections, said similar ordinances allow police to continue cooperating with federal law when required by subpoena or court order while preventing voluntary cooperation in other cases.

Administration and council responses

Council members and administration officials said they would continue talking with community groups. Council members asked questions about how existing policies are written and where they are published; Assistant Planning Director Craig Pfeiffer and other staff said portions of policy are in departmental directives and that the police department’s directives are publicly posted on the city website. Chief of Police Jennifer Cott (referenced in a circulated memo) and Mayor William Reynolds also circulated statements before the meeting describing current practices; members of the public said those statements were not sufficient and urged an ordinance.

Legal and operational points raised

Speakers and at least one council member discussed common legal concerns: a municipal ordinance cannot prevent the city from complying with a valid federal or state court order, but supporters said an ordinance could prevent voluntary assistance and create training, reporting and translation requirements. Several public commenters urged the city to adopt third‑party certification or an objective rating, echoing language from other municipal “welcoming city” models.

Next steps and status

Council did not vote on any ordinance at the meeting. City staff and the police chief said they are continuing to review policy, communications and training; several council members said they wanted draft language to consider. Supporters asked council to place a bill on an upcoming agenda; officials said they would continue outreach and return to council with options rather than take immediate action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02182025 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of residents and students used the council’s public‑comment period Feb. 24 to press Bethlehem officials to draft and adopt a municipal ordinance to codify protections for immigrants and prohibit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement beyond what law requires.","taxTitle","Bethlehem, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania","taxId",9659,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324359,"Bethlehem council holds public hearing on rezoning for 70‑unit mixed‑use project at West Garrison Street",394,110000,504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338473-5883f6f5376f2fdbcc83328f21e9c5a2&start=110&end=504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338473-5883f6f5376f2fdbcc83328f21e9c5a2/thumbnail_110000.jpg","/articles/6324359/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Bethlehem-council-holds-public-hearing-on-rezoning-for-70unit-mixeduse-project-at-West-Garrison-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324359-24001430bbdc6571c4074214e285f7c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775864123&Signature=LqDW6e69c5cYa0ZJwS0ieIuY~NI-f8uh8sNXrrGNnqsf00hNwhpjfmYr1~yx6d5BlYh5JQ20MxDgAJhBL0RroxaZ2xPDQeY0m2ZuB0KuNiqcVH-7FMau4q79UOZb9eUraqs74LrHyMa5m9CY9KpOrv2e7ylvyvpZUJicNkz2PftTu3W1buHm4QsJnsmsJJ7UkODmsySyboE29qT0p1ZI5pFFj9gbMolCMIu~9NEZ1eSun3R1R-CaNu5mhkyRwAW~WkvDo0Pb~bekRkazOWHH7wFXeFhtJiDE56qEqNHG~0mmMaV4QK2LkwQv-IBueij02-dpeDVNZIs-SEdvJhGUtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A public hearing Feb. 24 before the Bethlehem City Council drew neighborhood residents and the petitioner to discuss a privately proposed zoning map amendment that would change 11 and 15 West Garrison Street from high‑density residential (RT) to central business (CB) to allow a 70‑unit apartment building with ground‑floor retail.

The rezoning request was presented by Michael Oshudi of the law firm Cole Visiliades, Friends and Oshudi on behalf of BPG Investments 2 LLC; Gabe Moyer of Bethlehem Property Group LLC and project architect Vince Marucci also spoke. Assistant Planning Director Craig Pfeiffer told council staff and the Planning Commission reviewed the petition and forwarded a 5‑0 recommendation for approval to council.

Why it matters: the petitioner said adding the two West Garrison parcels to seven contiguous CB parcels would let the developer build the same number of units in a more efficient, lower building with more on‑site parking, while opponents said changing the map risks scale and parking impacts in an otherwise residential block.

Developer presentation and staff view

Attorney Michael Oshudi said the filing is a zoning map amendment — not a text change to the zoning ordinance — and called the submitted plan “conceptual.” He said the group owns nine contiguous parcels in the block and that returning 11 and 15 West Garrison to CB would allow a single, combined project rather than a more constrained by‑right building on seven parcels.

Gabe Moyer, principal of Bethlehem Property Group, said rezoning the two Garrison parcels would let the developers build “a better building with lower average height, more parking, and just generally better appearance,” and allow a stepped facade that transitions into the Garrison Street neighborhood. Architect Vince Marucci said the recommended plan would provide about 85 parking spaces compared with roughly 45 spaces under the by‑right design and would be roughly five to six stories, stepping down toward Garrison because of grade changes; the taller by‑right alternative could reach six to seven stories and create “inefficiencies” in parking and layout, he said.

Craig Pfeiffer told council the Planning Commission voted 5‑0 to recommend approval and that city bureaus and the Planning Commission’s review will be followed by a separate land‑development review if the zoning change advances.

Neighborhood concerns

Several neighbors urged the council not to approve the rezoning. Bill Schar, of 1898 Avenue, said he opposed the request and warned it could amount to “spot zoning.” Schar said he believed similar variances in other parts of the city had effectively rezoned parcels over time and predicted the petition could generate litigation. Resident Cindy Toledo, who said she lives across the street from 11 and 15 West Garrison, told council she had only received a mailed notice and said neighbors were concerned about traffic, narrow Garrison Street, and loss of on‑street parking.

Council questions and clarifications

Council members questioned staff and the applicants about height, parking and existing uses. When Councilman Callahan asked whether developers could build the taller by‑right building on the seven CB parcels without council action, Assistant Planning Director Craig Pfeiffer said that was correct and noted the CB district allows much greater height (he said the CB maximum could translate to roughly 12–14 stories depending on floor‑to‑floor heights). Council members pressed how parking would be arranged given Garrison Street’s narrow profile; the applicants said lower‑level parking entries would use the grade change so cars could access two staggered parking levels.

Project details and context

Petitioners said the nine parcels were commercially zoned for decades prior to a 2005 rezoning that converted 11 and 15 West Garrison to RT; 15 West Garrison is about 2,000 square feet and represents roughly 6.9% of the combined site in the applicants’ figures. The developers estimated the completed project would generate roughly $300,000 in new Bethlehem Area School District tax revenue compared with current vacant and underused conditions on the site.

Next steps

The hearing was informational; no vote was taken during the public hearing. Council was told a proposed ordinance to consider the zoning map amendment will be placed on the March 4 council agenda for first reading, and land‑development review would follow any successful rezoning.

Council and applicants indicated additional public input would be accepted during planning and land‑development reviews. No formal approvals were granted at the hearing.","A public hearing Feb. 24 before the Bethlehem City Council drew neighborhood residents and the petitioner to discuss a privately proposed zoning map amendment that would change 11 and 15 West Garrison Street from high‑density residential (RT) to central business (CB) to allow a 70‑unit apartment building with ground‑floor retail.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324351,"Votes at a glance: Bethlehem council approves hazard mitigation plan, water contracts and certificates of appropriateness (all measures passed 6‑0)",319,7271000,7590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338473-5883f6f5376f2fdbcc83328f21e9c5a2&start=7271&end=7590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338473-5883f6f5376f2fdbcc83328f21e9c5a2/thumbnail_7271000.jpg","/articles/6324351/Bethlehem/Lehigh-and-Northampton-Counties/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Bethlehem-council-approves-hazard-mitigation-plan-water-contracts-and-certificates-of-appropriateness-all-measures-passed-60","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324351-d02b97a3d81221948ad5c8b99be3bffd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775864123&Signature=kpX~adHUSqoYcnaBb6ngrcig9OqOP346Ikn8ikIRbOKcci0i3RX7cNRvsMRXJj6PjWVQOteZb~TDlTxMbnPdqNIvI~bm6qpWRpRNWFkr3sOruNAH9uqQoNR3G2kiiZcWl8LawOsDswyQw1Qq1QaAKJsZXOuV2zxRt4CAV1~JJZLsi8k0VSAh74PrsDWRtfa4z3tG4W9mLRalft-B5zBK7htWpyNPaMqyHtJ53nSkDBL5hyLrJOpICgbQ0sDj-ocBpWZWrckxJHxojAEdsoXgzLu-~1BA3Z1x5y56Q2dU4Ko0ndoNZMtKLhIL8YImyNCkQng8NigvyZmcbdB4zk-itA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council took votes Feb. 24 on several resolutions and appointments. Most measures were routine authorizations for contracts, grants or administrative matters; each resolution passed on a recorded roll call of 6‑0 (Council President Colon was absent).

Key outcomes

- Hazard mitigation plan: Council adopted the Lehigh Valley 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan as the city’s official plan (Resolution 10a). The plan is a prerequisite for post‑disaster hazard mitigation grant eligibility.

- Water and sewer professional services: Council authorized contracts for professional services related to water/sewer GIS upgrades and environmental regulatory counsel: Colliers Engineering (GIS field verification), EnTech Engineering (water information management system programming), and Henley, Arancic, Siegel, Hudlin & Schiller (environmental counsel). Reported contract amounts: Colliers $41,440 (through 12/31/2025), Henley et al. not to exceed $25,000 for 2025 with renewal options, and EnTech $7,500.

- Certificate of appropriateness: Council granted historic‑district certificates of appropriateness for multiple small exterior projects (window graphics, storm door/railings, roof replacement) as listed on the agenda.

- Reappointment: Mayor Reynolds’ reappointment of Ronald J. Danchez to the Bethlehem Authority was confirmed by council (effective through January 2030).

- Scheduling: Council voted 6‑0 to schedule a public hearing on April 1 for a separate rezoning request (Eighth Avenue and Martin Court) submitted by an applicant seeking CMU→CS zoning for a proposed car wash or restaurant.

All roll calls recorded the following votes in favor: Miss Wilhelm, Mister Callahan, Miss Grimsey Smith, Miss Kwiatek, Miss Laird and Miss Leon.","At its Feb. 24 session Bethlehem City Council approved a set of routine resolutions and contracts by unanimous roll call, scheduled one public hearing and reappointed a Bethlehem Authority member.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hundreds of public comments urge Bethlehem council to adopt 'welcoming city' protections; council says policies under review

Bethlehem council holds public hearing on rezoning for 70‑unit mixed‑use project at West Garrison Street

Votes at a glance: Bethlehem council approves hazard mitigation plan, water contracts and certificates of appropriateness (all measures passed 6‑0)