Council postpones West Garrison rezoning after residents press for more outreach

Bethlehem City Council voted on Feb. 27 to postpone consideration of a zoning map amendment that would change two lots at 11 and 15 West Garrison Street from Residential-Transitional (RT) to Central Business District. The motion to delay the first reading passed 7-0 and the item will be taken up at the April 1 council meeting.

Developers seeking to rezone the two lots said the change would let them consolidate a multi-lot redevelopment into a five-story building with roughly 70 apartments and more on-site parking. They told council the same 70 residential units would be built whether the two RT lots were rezoned or not; without the rezoning, the developers said, they would need to push the project taller (six stories) and use more expensive steel construction, which would reduce funds available for exterior finishes and on-site parking.

"If they don't get the zoning change, they're building six stories," said Councilman Callahan in discussion, explaining developers’ presentation and his conclusion that a rezoned site could produce a shorter building with more parking. Developers who addressed council described multiple adjustments to pursue a smaller, more compatible building and said they had met with residents and city planning staff.

Neighbors and other residents urged council to slow the process and expand outreach. Concerns included narrow street geometry on West Garrison, parking availability during construction and after occupancy, pedestrian safety and the loss of intact, older houses on the block. Bill Shire, a nearby resident, urged preserving the block's character: "If we're not careful, what is attracting people to the city will be lost," he said.

Councilwoman Laird proposed a short postponement to allow for facilitated conversations between the developer and neighborhood groups. Laird suggested Northside Alive as a potential convener; she and other council members said the pause should be brief to let the project move forward if the parties can resolve issues.

Developers and supporters argued the project responds to the region's housing shortage and that infill on this site reduces outward expansion and sprawl. Gabe Moyer, who identified himself with the project, said the design had been changed after community input: "The rezoning request is sensible... We're pursuing a modest building with plenty of parking."

The item will return to council for first reading on April 1. Council directed staff to facilitate a community meeting so that residents, the developer and council members can discuss concerns before the next vote.