Zoning board finds West Chew medical office use not abandoned, clears building for nonmedical offices and grandfathered parking

The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board determined April 28 that the former medical office at 1726–1730 West Chew Street has not been abandoned and may be used for nonmedical professional offices, and it found a 31-space grandfathered parking deficit that will carry forward for the site.

The decision follows testimony from the property owner, Camille Satoof, and the building—s listing agent, who told the board the three-story building (about 13,700 square feet) has sat largely vacant since the owner acquired it in 2021 and has only two on-site parking spaces. Satoof testified she and a partner spent about $25,000 attempting to acquire or secure additional parking from nearby properties, that insurance and tax costs have been high, and that multiple prospective tenants left after learning additional parking would be required. "I bought this building, and I didn't have parking," Satoof said,…