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