Zoning board denies appointment‑only auto repair at 1525 Hanover Ave., cites parking and proximity to residence

The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board on Oct. 13 denied an application to operate an appointment‑only auto repair business at 1525 Hanover Avenue (Barahona Auto Services), concluding that the property lacks sufficient off‑street parking and is located closer to a primary residence than the notice’s stated separation.

Attorney Rami Saleem introduced the application and Dr. Enrique Luzon provided Spanish‑English translation while applicant Jordi (Jordy) Feliz testified. The applicant said the business would operate by appointment only, with the applicant as sole operator and no employees, and that service would be limited to maintenance (oil changes, brake work, filter replacement) rather than bodywork. He said two parking spaces were available on the property and that vehicles would be brought in and returned by appointment.

Two nearby residents (Tim Freitas and Michael Torres) and the property manager testified in support, describing the applicant’s work as tidy and saying they did not anticipate traffic or nuisance. The board noted those statements but focused on ordinance parking requirements and proximity to residence.

Board members discussed the ordinance parking standard (three spaces per bay and additional spaces for employees) and observed the site appeared to fall short. The board also emphasized that zoning relief runs with the land in Pennsylvania; board members expressed concern that approving relief for this site could establish a precedent and that future operators might intensify the use and create enforcement challenges. One member described the historical difficulty of enforcing storage and accumulation of vehicles at repair shops.

A motion to deny the application was made and seconded. The board voted unanimously to deny the request, citing lack of demonstrated hardship, insufficient off‑street parking relative to the zoning standard, and the property’s proximity to a residence.