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Board approves special exception to convert ground‑floor commercial space to dwelling at Linden/15th
Summary
The Zoning Hearing Board granted a special exception May 11 to convert a ground‑floor commercial unit to a dwelling at the corner of 15th and Linden Streets, finding the conversion meets the old‑code requirements and that parking and minimum floor‑area standards are satisfied.
The Allentown City Zoning Hearing Board approved a special exception May 11 allowing the conversion of an existing commercial ground‑floor space into a dwelling unit at the corner of 15th and Linden Streets.
Jean Berg, a registered architect with GALC Architects, testified the 1st‑floor unit measures about 922 square feet (above the 900‑square‑foot minimum under the old zoning code) and that the building’s existing three parking spaces comply with the old‑code requirements. "Both of these apartment units are in compliance with the minimum floor areas stipulated by Allentown's old zoning ordinance," Berg said.
The applicant’s representative said the commercial space has been largely vacant for many years and that recent records show no active business license since about 2006; the board’s review of legacy records supported that history. The owner described difficulty leasing the first‑floor space because the block is predominantly residential in character.
After considering the architect’s testimony and city records, the board concluded that the special‑exception criteria were met and voted to grant the conversion. The chair said a written decision will be issued and noted the appeal period before renovations and permit work may commence.
The board instructed that permits should not be sought until after the written decision and appeal period have elapsed.
