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Politics & Government

Expansion of Silk Mill Apartments Approved

City Planning Commission also extends deadline on Applebutter Road project.

The Bethlehem Planning Commission Monday night granted an extension to a plan for manufactured homes on Applebutter Road; approved a revised land development plan for three buildings at the Silk Mill, 238 W. Goepp St., and granted waivers for two additional signs at PBS broadcasting studio at SteelStacks.

Attorney James Preston, representing Applebutter Village developer Chris Zajacek, asked for an extension to July 14 to resolve planning commission concerns including street waivers, pumping, curb, and gutter issues, a need for recreational facilities and a shortage of visitor parking.

The plan proposes 59 manufactured homes, 132 parking spaces and a basketball court on an 11.8-acre lot that includes an historic farmhouse at the foot of the property. The 1830s stone home would be razed or relocated. A city resident expressed a desire that the farmhouse be saved or moved, as “every stone home adds to the ambiance of an area.”

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City resident Eugene Novak, whose property at 1002 Applebutter Road borders the development, cited heavy truck traffic on Applebutter and Shimersville roads, and asked if a traffic survey was conducted.

“I’d like to see that done,” said Novak, noting that his property has been hit by vehicles three times this year. Novak added, “No one approached us about the development. No one sent a letter. We heard about it through the grapevine.”

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Commission Chairman Jim Fiorentino pointed out that a traffic study was completed, and that the plans are public record. He urged the developer to meet with neighbors of the proposed development.

In granting the extension, Commissioner Stephen Thode said the extension was contingent upon the applicant addressing planners’ concerns “point by point” by July 14.

Commissioners approved a revised Phase 2 development plan for apartments at the Goepp Street Silk Mill in a plan proposed by developer Abraham Atiyeh.

Architect Gene Burke said the developer “now wishes to use buildings D, E and F" for residential units. The revision calls for the renovation or reuse of an existing building, a second building that was damaged in a fire at the site and a former boiler house.

He said the exterior of the buildings would be maintained and proposed parking spaces meet city requirements. Units in the three-story apartment building C have been reduced, and building D would contain loft bedrooms, he said.

Planners also gave PBS Broadcasting Studio a waiver for two additional non-illuminated signs at its new studio at SteelStacks at the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. plant on the city’s Southside.

Tim Fallon, project director, said the signs include one visible from the west side of the building and the other flat on the roof. Total signage would not exceed 560 square feet, he said. Fallon noted that PBS moved into its new studio on Monday.

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