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Zoning board reaffirms Allentown Central Free Methodist Church approval; two years to obtain permits
Summary
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board on Oct. 13 reaffirmed a prior approval (decision A70373) for Allentown Central Free Methodist Church (1401 S. Front St.) that had not been completed during the pandemic, granting a new decision and attaching the original conditions. The board said the applicant has two years to secure required permits.
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board on Oct. 13 voted to reaffirm a prior decision (A70373) for Allentown Central Free Methodist Church at 1401 South Front Street, allowing the church to complete improvements that had been delayed during the COVID‑19 period.
Anna Alexandra Soto, a church board member who testified and was sworn, said the church completed acquisition of two parcels (including the parking parcel to the north) and sought the board’s reaffirmation because final permits were not obtained after the 2020 approval. Soto said the neighborhood has remained substantially the same and the congregation has received community visitors since the earlier decision.
Board members said a reaffirmation constitutes a new decision and that the board’s usual practice is to apply the original conditions. Chair Robert Knauer explained the board does not “extend” the prior decision indefinitely but will issue a new order that reaffirms the earlier relief; the board gave the applicant two years to obtain required permits and instructed staff to attach the original conditions to the new order.
The board voted unanimously to approve the reaffirmation.
