Planners give conditional approval to Sonia Sotomayor modular classrooms after traffic and park concerns

The Allentown Planning Commission voted to grant conditional preliminary/final approval for a 9,856‑square‑foot, single‑story modular classroom building for the Sonia Sotomayor Dual Language Immersion Academy, subject to staff comments and a directed on‑street parking, queuing and signage analysis to manage student drop‑off and pick‑up.

Melissa, the commission’s planning staff presenter, told commissioners the revised modular plan reduces the footprint so the existing concession stand can remain and that staff recommends revising the plans to preserve the concession stand, add a southeastern sidewalk connection and incorporate energy‑saving strategies and native landscaping.

Representing the school district, attorney Lawrence Chesney said the district submitted revised materials and…