Allentown zoning board approves RCI Village Properties' community center at 16th and Chiu with code conditions

The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board on Nov. 17 approved a special exception allowing RCI Village Properties, an affiliate of Ripple Community Inc., to operate a community center at 1539–1551 West Chiu Street, subject to standardized construction and operating conditions. The board’s action followed a legal and procedural history that culminated in a change to the city’s zoning definition of "community center."

Attorney Eric Schott, representing the applicant, told the board the application is the same as the plan previously approved in part in May 2024 and that the only outstanding issue was the community‑center use. He said the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas decision dated Oct. 24, 2024, had faulted the board only for a restriction on meal service, and that City Council later amended the zoning definition on July 2, 2025, to remove the senior‑only meal restriction. "Now that that has been removed, I believe all of the criteria for a special exception have been met," Schott said.

Sherri Brockopbinder, executive director of Ripple Community Inc., described the organization’s operations and the proposed site. She said Ripple runs a community center and a housing program, serves people experiencing housing instability and other neighborhood residents, and averages about 70 people a day at its center. Brockopbinder testified the proposed building includes a main community hall, a commercial kitchen (the current location lacks a commercial kitchen), three medical‑respite rooms to be operated by Valley Health Partners’ street medicine team, office space and a quiet room; she said the exterior of the historic church building will remain largely intact aside from accessibility improvements. "86% are still stably housed," Brockopbinder said of residents who have been through the organization’s housing program, citing program outcomes.

Neighbors and other attendees offered sharply divided testimony. Several West Park residents and property owners told the board they opposed placing the community center at 16th and Chiu, saying it would destabilize the neighborhood, depress property values and draw people experiencing homelessness to the park and nearby streets. One objector said, "Changing the rules does not change the facts." Supporters and volunteers countered that Ripple has provided stable housing outcomes and neighborhood services, and several residents urged approval.

Architect Christian Diddra of Spillman Farmer Architects authenticated the July 2023 plans and explained minor design changes to meet modern egress and daylighting code requirements; the board agreed to admit a missing site plan sheet into the record as a new exhibit. Applicant exhibits also included maps showing the current center and the proposed site are within close proximity (the applicant provided distances and parcel maps used to show neighborhood context).

After closing arguments, board members concluded the ordinance change removed the legal basis for the earlier denial and that objectors had not introduced substantial evidence on the three statutory negative criteria (traffic, public health or safety hazards, and substantial negative impact on the desirable character of the residential neighborhood). A board member moved to approve the special exception with conditions requiring that construction comply with applicable building, fire and accessibility codes and that the use be operated in accordance with testimony presented to the board. Members voiced assent and the motion carried.

The board also invited any objectors seeking party/intervener status (so they may preserve appeal rights) to sign forms the board made available after the hearing. The meeting was then adjourned.