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Board allows conversion of storage to apartment at 1329 W. Hamilton; applicant must obtain permits
Summary
Queen City LLC received approval to convert an existing storage area into a one‑bedroom unit at 1329 West Hamilton Street after the zoning board granted a lot‑width variance and required the applicant to obtain all necessary permits.
The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board approved a variance allowing Queen City LLC to convert an existing storage area into an additional residential unit at 1329 West Hamilton Street.
Hector Lisboa, a member and general contractor for Queen City LLC, said the project would convert about 602 square feet of existing enclosed space on the second floor into a one‑bedroom apartment (identified in plans as Apartment No. 3). Lisboa said the building is already sprinklered and that the conversion involves interior space; the only variance sought was for lot width as required by multifamily bulk rules when increasing unit count.
Lisboa told the board the building meets or exceeds parking requirements (the site is required to provide eight spaces; Lisboa said the project provides 10) and that no significant exterior changes are proposed; the applicant said windows and exterior elements would remain as existing and compatible with the historic overlay. The board confirmed the unit’s size exceeds the local minimum (Lisboa said the proposed unit is about 602 square feet) and that the space could not be reasonably reconfigured to create a two‑bedroom unit under current constraints.
The board voted unanimously to grant the lot‑width variance, subject to the applicant obtaining all required permits and approvals. The board recorded the motion and unanimous “aye” votes in the public record. The zoning office recorded no objections on the record and recommended conditioning approval on the normal permit process.
