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Bethlehem council approves 7‑story Walnut Street project despite preservation objections
Summary
City Council approved a certificate of appropriateness for 33 West Walnut Street to allow a seven‑story mixed‑use building after HARB recommended approval; council cited statutory limits on COA review and approved the measure 5–1 amid public concern about scale and historic character.
City Council of Bethlehem approved a certificate of appropriateness for 33 West Walnut Street, allowing a seven‑story mixed‑use building with 107 dwelling units and ground‑floor commercial space, after a lengthy debate over compatibility with the historic district. The measure passed 5–1.
The Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) recommended approval after three public meetings and multiple design revisions, city staff said. The city solicitor reminded council that, under Section 8004(b) of Pennsylvania’s Municipal Historic Districts Law and the city’s Article 17‑13, council’s…
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