Commission grants 10-year sidewalk postponement for Tillman Street underpass parking lot

The Allentown City Planning Commission approved a 10-year postponement to required sidewalk construction for a proposed parking lot at 117 West Allen Street, a parcel beneath the Tillman Street bridge. The petitioner, Waterfront LLC, requested a 10-year postponement for sidewalks and a five-year postponement for curbing; staff told the commission it did not object to the sidewalk postponement request.

“This is a sidewalk postponement associated with a minor land development for a proposed parking lot at 117 West Allen Street,” planning staff Melissa said, explaining that the affected area sits within the Tillman Street right of way and that two bridge piers intersect the required curb and sidewalk area and would split the sidewalk into three segments. Staff noted existing sidewalk on the opposite side of Tillman Street does not connect to Riverside Drive and that the grade differences complicate a straightforward connection.

Engineers and commissioners discussed options including a private public-access easement, the presence of bridge piers and limited right-of-way, and grading constraints: the proposed parking lot features a 3:1 slope on one edge that would complicate future sidewalk installation unless the area is graded to allow for later construction. Commissioners raised concerns that deferring the sidewalk could leave pedestrians routed into the street if a sidewalk were later placed adjacent to fencing and piers; others cited the limited pedestrian demand in the immediate area and the practical difficulty of constructing a compliant sidewalk under the bridge.

After discussion the commission voted to grant the 10-year sidewalk postponement; the motion passed with one commissioner recorded as opposed. The commission noted staff will track postponements and that curb installation and other frontage improvements could be considered separately by the curb appeal committee at a later date.