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Board permits nail salon at former dentist office on Emmaus Avenue
Summary
The zoning hearing board approved a change of use for a one‑story building on Emmaus Avenue from a dentist office to a nail salon, subject to required permits and licensing; applicant said off‑street parking needs can be met.
The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board on Aug. 25 approved a change of use for a one‑story building on Emmaus Avenue (address presented as 635 Emmaus Ave) to allow a nail salon to occupy space that had previously housed a dentist’s office. The board’s approval is subject to the operators obtaining applicable building permits and state occupational licensing.
Barry Cohen, listed on the record as the project engineer, told the board the new tenant would operate by appointment Monday through Saturday and did not anticipate more than six clients at a time. Cohen said the site can accommodate eight off‑street parking spaces (including one handicap space) after identifying unmarked areas that have been used as parking. The zoning officer confirmed the applicable parking standard for a nail salon: one space per nail station plus one space for every two employees, and noted the prior dentist office had been acknowledged on the record by a 1968 zoning hearing decision that established a seven‑space parking lot for that use.
Board members discussed the property’s unusual history — built as a dentist office in the 1960s and situated in a largely residential zone — but noted the proposed nail salon would be a personal‑service use similar to the prior commercial operation and would operate primarily by appointment, which the board viewed as limiting adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. Members emphasized the need for the applicant to comply with building‑code and ventilation requirements tied to nail and beauty services and for the operator to secure state licensing for cosmetology/personal services.
The board admitted the applicant’s exhibits and then voted to permit the use, conditioning the decision on the testimony that the use would operate as presented and that required permits and licensing would be obtained before occupancy.
Next steps: the board will issue a written decision. The applicant must obtain all required building and health/safety permits and appropriate occupational licenses before opening.
