Bethlehem Township's Board of Commissioners approved the development of 220 apartments at the former Bethlehem Drive-In off Easton Avenue.
According to WFMZ-TV 69 News, land use is set by law and not referendum, so the owners of property have rights to develop it. The project is referred to as Thirty22 Garden Apartments for its address (3022 Easton Ave).
According to the board, The Wind-Drift Real Estate Associates project consists of eight three to four-story buildings, a clubhouse, common space, 480 parking spaces and more.
Residents have expressed concerns around potential storm water problems and additional traffic, reported WFMZ-TV 69 News.
An additional 54 apartments are planned for the former Kospia's Nursery site. The north side of Easton Avenue is generally residential and the south side in the township is mostly commercial.
The vote to approve the land use was 4-1 and the board also approved land-use variances for the project, which includes the slope of a detention pond.
No plans have been submitted yet, reported WFMZ-TV 69 News.
The board also approved a settlement agreement between the township and Steven J. Inc. about zoning conformity property at 4011 Wilson Ave. near the Lehigh River. In 2021, a township official said landowner Steven Miga was operating businesses at the site, such as a car service, which violated the township zoning code.
Details of that agreement were not available Monday.
The board will spend $428,279 on roof work at the Bethlehem Township Community Center, with Budget Renovation & Roofing Inc. was the winning bidder.
