Allentown council holds public hearing on Cedar Crest College rezoning request

The Allentown City Council held a public hearing on Bill 47, a request by Cedar Crest College to rezone Parcel 548685625829-1 (2851–2865 College Drive) from low-density residential to institutional government.

City staff forwarded the rezoning request favorably, saying adjacent property owners had been contacted and no inquiries or complaints had been received. "We do not have any inquiries or letters to submit or complaints to this effect," Kessler, a city staff member, told the council.

Chris McLean, an attorney with Fitzpatrick Lentz and Bubba representing the college, said the rezoning would enable the institution to convert the existing residential structures into an academic facility called the Harmon Center for Leadership in Technology. "The project that will follow the rezoning will be converting the residents and rehabilitating the residents into the academic center for the Harmon Center for Leadership in Technology," McLean said.

Dr. Mead, president of Cedar Crest College, told the council the college intends to preserve the property's residential character and maintain building standards. "Our intention in purchasing the property is to maintain the residential character of it ... We love the character of the neighborhood, and we want to keep it with the character of a residential neighborhood," Dr. Mead said. Mead added the site would be "occupied really primarily between 08:30 and 04:30 with the potential of perhaps some evening classes."

Elizabeth Wilson, chief financial officer for Cedar Crest College, said the academic program is being made possible by a recent estate gift; the size of the gift was not specified in the hearing.

Council members did not take a vote on Bill 47 at the public hearing. Council member Hanlon read the bill for the record, and the council president asked for public comment; seeing none, the council president noted the item had been recommended favorably by the community and economic development committee and planning commissions and said the bill would appear on the following agenda for formal action. "Oh, so this is just a public comment. It'll be on the agenda that follows," a council member said during the hearing.

The hearing record shows staff recommended approval and that the college plans only internal renovations (converting bedrooms to offices and creating a small conference space in a basement) while keeping the exterior residential character. The council did not report any public opposition during the hearing.

The council concluded the hearing without final action; the rezoning will be considered at a future council meeting where a formal vote will be recorded.