[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6549560,"mediaKeyId","5448329-c2c9c4ffb4dffee0d2a4c0457e16a710","parentId",5448329,"title","Zoning board denies demolition of turret on 36 S. Madison Street","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5483000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448329-c2c9c4ffb4dffee0d2a4c0457e16a710&start=5483&end=5483","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448329-c2c9c4ffb4dffee0d2a4c0457e16a710/thumbnail_5483000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6549560/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Zoning-board-denies-demolition-of-turret-on-36-S-Madison-Street","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549560-090130347ce9e1cc36a60175a40c89f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141942&Signature=bD-QYSHRM3DgsHF3yn1AYMUREn0CRRXCNOcsBE3NzycHQrbIdx4dgvPp0AkqcfZJyLDcS0EN-mgqsm1cgHyMH2yvsCRKE9eD26VBZup-sFc3Ddo8lPMJKe7ihJ2CgpAgji3-AcG7BOK3VRvMgSDFuF4LaG6ngvM5E3y8uAR-OpOBhQj5GmzoQqHCVnX5ZXR6aLL8X~OzXOsYuT65~NbxbxLHtnAXSoW-7KEmk0kmctvvanPvYZGtY27gcxW9VkU1A6WYmn5btvgKeJ85tZKDPl6mY4WYPaK3htR5CNUMTkxcBV~4tDekwBylDU8THtvX5mtFJAKXHefc1mcRQUb6Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Allentown City, PA","date","2025-07-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board on July 21 denied a special‑exception request from the owner of 36 South Madison Street to demolish a turret roof feature on a building in a historic building demolition overlay area.

A property co‑owner, Lawrence Lynbrook, told the board the turret is in poor condition and leaking and that he and co‑owner Carol Johnson want it removed. \"It's in bad shape right now. It's leaking really hard,\" Lynbrook said. The board noted, however, that the overlay regulations require the applicant to present sufficient credible evidence that repair or reuse is infeasible before approving demolition.

Board members and the hearing record identified missing documentation the ordinance requires in this context: a qualified contractor's written cost estimate for rehabilitation, a structural engineer's report about soundness, an appraisal or other evidence showing repair is impracticable and evidence the demolition was not self‑created by the owner through neglect. Those items were not in the record.

The board discussed alternatives, including repair or replacement with long‑lasting architectural shingles; members pointed to the ordinance language that lack of maintenance alone is not a ground for demolition. The board also noted the city and nonprofit programs that sometimes assist owner‑occupied households with eligible historic repair work.

Because the applicant did not provide the required feasibility documentation and the turret is covered by the historic building demolition overlay standards, the board voted to deny the demolition request. The motion to deny carried with two affirmative votes and one member not recorded as voting. The board advised the property owners they could return with the required professional reports or explore repair options and financial assistance programs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Zoning Hearing Board on 2025-07-21","oneSentenceSummary","The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board denied a request to remove a turret roof component at 36 South Madison, finding the applicant did not provide the documentation required under the historic building demolition overlay rules to show demolition was necessary or feasible.","taxTitle","Allentown City, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania","taxId",12607,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6549565,"Zoning board approves Pound‑for‑Pound boxing gym at 1518–1526 W. Walnut with conditions",2075,3402000,5477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448329-c2c9c4ffb4dffee0d2a4c0457e16a710&start=3402&end=5477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448329-c2c9c4ffb4dffee0d2a4c0457e16a710/thumbnail_3402000.jpg","/articles/6549565/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Zoning-board-approves-PoundforPound-boxing-gym-at-15181526-W-Walnut-with-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549565-a10dc2421740c94c272445e08a3f01ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141942&Signature=H8ZKsxjnUIqqbUXw~MDg5aCHU5MPLKtE~9jNp9oT2A-yNk57HlpfmfqB4tuI7jKjJ6~KHp0nRCBg~kcFfbN~CjLXg5VqhgfTBUiUkmQFn9nwa3~FW9rarAAyQwUSlov4PwhouGwB0ADitWi1~BdjXrsL4ibf~4Su66e8V6VFwCjBiyrYf2R3s2kzrfW7u12H5Ou8IWwWMEiEATgCC1WKGi9L235Uklz-xqcgIdf1AbWFQd8A-gJiSAH2o1IwdXXRgpysC8EuX~KnKTVvDr~-DaTzZiwfV-m7dJK0g~PzulKtxkyrxVh6AstUKGfDz4KDutmah-QGmw8t9~vWLYnugA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board on July 21 approved a special exception for Lehigh Valley Pound for Pound Boxing to operate a nonprofit boxing gym and community center on the second floor of 1518–1526 West Walnut Street.

The board accepted testimony that the nonprofit intends to use roughly 3,500 square feet for a boxing ring, heavy and speed bags, workout equipment and limited office/storage. The organization described training and mentoring programs for youth and young adults and said the facility will be membership‑based rather than a drop‑in public gym.

Michael Fracetto, president of the nonprofit’s board, and founder/executive director Paul Pinnock described current operations and program goals. Pinnock said the organization provides training and mentorship for city youth and is a USA Boxing‑sanctioned gym; he described a typical session as stretching, jump rope, shadow boxing, bag work and conditioning and said sessions generally run about two and a half hours. He told the board the gym currently serves about 10–12 regular participants per session and expects similar numbers at the new site.

Owner Maher Vartanian testified he acquired the building in May 2024 and confirmed there are roughly eight parking spaces available at the front of the building; the zoning office reviewed parking and found it sufficient for the proposed use. The board noted the use is similar to other membership‑based instructional activities (for example, martial arts studios) and emphasized the nonprofit character and limited hours in its deliberations.

The board attached conditions to the approval: no public exhibitions or matches that would draw large crowds; all activities must occur indoors (\"no outside activities\"); adherence to the hours and staffing limits given in testimony (weekday hours with limited weekend activity); and any signage must receive city approval. A motion to approve the special exception with those conditions passed with two affirmative votes; one board member was not recorded as voting.

Board members said the nonprofit community focus, limited hours and membership model made the proposed use compatible with the neighborhood and appropriate as a special exception. The applicant's exhibits and lease were admitted into the record and the case was closed.","The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board granted a special exception to Lehigh Valley Pound for Pound Boxing to use a second‑floor space at 1518–1526 West Walnut Street as a community center/boxing gym, subject to conditions including no public exhibitions, all activities indoors and city‑approved signage.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6549569,"Allentown zoning board denies Camp Bow Wow interpretation request for 627 Hamilton",3347,47000,3394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448329-c2c9c4ffb4dffee0d2a4c0457e16a710&start=47&end=3394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448329-c2c9c4ffb4dffee0d2a4c0457e16a710/thumbnail_47000.jpg","/articles/6549569/Allentown-City/Lehigh-County/Pennsylvania/Allentown-zoning-board-denies-Camp-Bow-Wow-interpretation-request-for-627-Hamilton","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549569-26dc62e4595f39391e79c7bddc30beba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141942&Signature=XvbDzaC8qthHH9drRFAkAflmmAGjC-9TcludMNJONGcMacMl31y-1nGaFCgjhbxyOx2xW36H2aCjBgQFa19It2QDvmMKqRoP1MVK9Y-3up9lEu0LwDa71P9MjVtdrcf9SK4tSotf6Pqfdvb~g5160Sa2j6uBl80~1svUa2KJEoUu6paakkOTS-qr-pF5pxGcb-TOJF51DPvT95UKf6RDhwXacIghIcNCr6euqUMbX8Hp0oa-siP~XQnG~ZlmazNvI~PCmHC8R~dS0sbhTIG0uBxv2z6nvM9a-GLA6eYGVyDGIbPbut9If1xpGhT3M6Eg-wT~WVaTirfc8ocdhPjFKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board on July 21 denied an interpretation request from Hunter's Camp LLC and property owner 627 West Hamilton LLC seeking to classify a proposed animal services facility at 627 Hamilton Street as a permitted personal-service/\"animal services\" use rather than a kennel.

The board's decision means the applicant must pursue a formal variance or wait for the pending zoning rewrite rather than rely on a favorable interpretation. The board discussed whether the proposed use — a daytime-focused dog day-care with grooming and limited, accessory overnight capacity — fits under the current B‑2 code definitions.

Hunter's Camp LLC owner Robert Ludwig described the business model and existing Camp Bow Wow operations outside downtown, telling the board the proposed downtown site would focus on day care, grooming and short-term client care and would not be a primary boarding facility. Ludwig said the proposed layout includes three indoor play yards, an interior grooming room, and 18 cabins (six-by-four and four-by-four cabins, 6 feet tall) used primarily to rest or isolate dogs during the day. \"I prefer not to\" offer overnight boarding, Ludwig said when asked directly about overnight stays.

Attorney Jeff Fleischaker, representing Hunter's Camp LLC, argued the proposed operation is closer to a personal-service or the zoning-draft category “animal services,” noting the city's draft zoning update explicitly includes pet daycares. He told the board the facility is intended as a daytime urban amenity and that any overnight housing would be accessory and rare.

Board members said the pending zoning rewrite is not in force and that the hearing must rely on the ordinance as currently adopted. Members questioned whether the words in the existing definition of \"kennel\" and the phrase \"housed\" plainly cover the proposed operation, and stressed enforcement concerns if the board were to limit overnight stays by condition. The zoning office and several board members also noted that veterinarian clinics are not permitted in B‑2, which complicated comparisons to other animal-care uses.

After discussion, a board member moved to deny the requested favorable interpretation on the grounds that the current ordinance does not permit the proposed use as described. The motion was seconded and the board recorded two affirmative votes; one member was not recorded as voting. The denial leaves the applicant the option to apply for a variance or to refile if the city adopts the draft ordinance that adds an \"animal services\" category.

Hunter's Camp presented letters of support from City Center and the Downtown Allentown Alliance and said the business plans to coordinate any rare overnight boardings at its larger suburban location. The applicant also described outreach to neighboring property owners and said they had visited the existing Camp Bow Wow location to demonstrate noise and odor controls.

The board admitted the applicant's exhibits and closed the record on the interpretation request. The applicant was told to pursue other administrative or legislative paths if it wished to proceed.","The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board on July 21 denied a request to treat a proposed downtown dog day-care as a permitted non‑kennel use, ruling the current zoning code does not support the applicant's interpretation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Zoning board denies demolition of turret on 36 S. Madison Street

Zoning board approves Pound‑for‑Pound boxing gym at 1518–1526 W. Walnut with conditions

Allentown zoning board denies Camp Bow Wow interpretation request for 627 Hamilton