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Board continues joint special‑use appeal for 28–30 S. Jefferson Street after applicants request more time
Summary
The Zoning Hearing Board granted a continuance for a joint special‑use appeal for 28 and 30 South Jefferson Street so applicants can supply additional calculations and explore lot consolidation and condominium declarations to address dimensional and parking concerns.
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board agreed to continue a joint special‑use application and appeal for 28 and 30 South Jefferson Street after the applicants requested more time to refine plans and provide additional information on lot consolidation and dimensional calculations.
Thomas Williams Sr. and Abu Bakar Shaw are listed on the application as owners for the two adjacent properties. A consultant and the applicants appeared and explained they seek conversion of the damaged properties to multiple residential units; the proposal was advertised as a joint special‑use and appeal. The hearing record shows the applicants recently acquired the neighboring parcel and proposed to coordinate reconstruction of both burned structures as higher‑density condominium units rather than single‑family dwellings.
On the record the applicants and their consultant described changes since a prior presentation in January: they now propose to increase total unit count by combining the redevelopment of both parcels and to convert to condominium ownership. The applicants said the combined buildings would total roughly 4,111 square feet and that they plan two condominium units per parcel (four units total, two on each parcel under separate condominium declarations). They told the board they had located additional off‑street parking and reached a lease agreement with a nearby church for up to six spaces, which they say would bring the project to roughly 11 spaces.
The zoning office and board discussed a key technical threshold in the code: a residential conversion provision allows conversion of detached structures of at least 3,000 square feet; the zoning officer told the board that, in the office’s reading, the 3,000‑square‑foot provision applies to a single parcel and there is no automatic consolidation across deeded lots unless the lot lines are formally altered. The zoning officer also noted the office concluded the parcels must be treated as separate properties absent consolidation, which would create the need for dimensional relief for one or both parcels.
Board members asked the zoning office to analyze an alternative: if the two parcels were consolidated and then declared a condominium, how would the area and bulk requirements apply and could that reduce the variances required. The applicants requested a continuance to pursue that approach and to provide supporting documentation, including consolidated lot calculations and a clearer plan for parking and common elements. The applicants acknowledged the continuance would require additional advertising fees (the hearing record noted a $400 advertising cost per property).
A motion to grant the continuance was seconded and the board approved it. The board asked the zoning office to prepare calculations showing how a lot consolidation and condominium declaration would affect the project’s compliance with the residential‑conversion rule and other area and bulk standards.
The continuance leaves the application open; applicants told the board they will return with consolidated calculations and any revised plans. City staff previously advised that rebuilding after fire will trigger code and permit review (including sprinklers, fire alarms and possible PADEP review depending on occupancy), which the applicants said they expect to address in follow‑up materials.
