Commission approves waiver to allow two new lots to front on alley at North Van Buren Street with sidewalk and utility conditions

The Allentown Planning Commission voted on March 11 to approve a waiver allowing two proposed new dwelling lots at 856–860 North Van Buren Street to front on a public alley, departing from the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) requirement that new lots front a public street.

Planning staff had recommended that the commission request more information on how the applicant could demonstrate an undue hardship under Section 350-8 of the SALDO; staff noted the proposed layout would place two dwellings facing the alley and would depart from the existing pattern of building frontages in the neighborhood.

Applicant representative Mike Houston described precedent parcels in the vicinity that also front on alleys and told the commission his client would install sidewalks and provide necessary easements to mitigate pedestrian access concerns. Houston said his client would be willing to relocate a utility pole if necessary to accommodate curb and sidewalk construction.

Commissioners pressed on details including alley width, required improvements to East Kurtz Street, options for curbing and sidewalk design, and fire department access. The applicant said proposed curb returns and sidewalk segments could be constructed with an easement where the public right-of-way is insufficient.

The commission approved a motion to recommend the waiver conditioned on: installation of a sidewalk connecting the new lots to North Van Buren Street; relocation of the utility pole if needed; provision of pedestrian easements; and widening the alley/right-of-way to the degree feasible. Commissioners indicated additional waivers and engineering approvals (for rear-yard parking design) would be handled by a separate committee or review process.

Motion makers and individual roll-call tallies were not entered into the meeting transcript; the motion passed on voice vote.