Allentown council adopts new zoning code over parking, density objections

Allentown City Council voted 6–1 to repeal Chapter 660 and adopt a new zoning ordinance and zoning map, a measure supporters said is intended to guide the city's growth and encourage affordable housing and job creation.

Councilmember Zukul, who voted no, said he would not support the ordinance because "it is not very community friendly" and warned that the new structure "is gonna make the issue more dense" and would worsen downtown parking. "We already have people. It's overcrowded, downtown," he said.

Another councilmember praised the process and the work done by consultants and staff, saying the update was "one of the most extensive processes I've ever seen," and that the plan allows adding density "in the right places" while protecting other areas. Supporters noted the zoning rewrite incorporated input from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the planning commission, zoning board and other groups.

There was no public comment recorded during the final passage of the bill. The ordinance passed with six ayes and one nay; the opposition vote was recorded by Councilmember Zukul.

Council members and staff said the zoning update is intended to establish long-term direction for the city's development patterns, with goals including affordable housing and economic development. Specific implementation steps, timing for map changes and related parking solutions were not specified during the floor discussion.