This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Pre-School Planned at Linden and Johnston

Developers show pre-K sketch to Planning Commission, had initially intended nursing home at corner in Northeast Bethlehem.

 

A development sketch plan for a single-story pre-school at the west corner of Linden Street and Johnston Drive, the site of a previously proposed assisted living facility, was presented to Bethlehem Planners Thursday night.

The developers, the Negrao family, now want to consolidate three lots at 3045-3057 Linden St. into a one 2.64 acre lot and build a 17,264 square foot school for infants through kindergarteners. 

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Planners gave brief comments on the project, which first must receive approval by the city’s zoning hearing board.

The Nazareth-based developers had initially proposed building Alexandria Manor, an 83-bed assisted living facility across from Elias Market in 2005, but market conditions no longer support the plan, they said.

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Al Bernotas, a Johnston Drive resident, who said he supported the plan, pointed to increased commercial and residential development  in the area and traffic issues, saying “it is a very busy corner,” and, “you’ll have tractor trailers across from a pre-school,” at . 

Planners chairman Jim Fiorentino responded that the developers would be required to apply for a left-turn arrow from northbound Linden Street onto Johnston Drive to address congestion problems at the intersection.

The pre-school plan includes 50 parking spaces with access to a security door at the front of the school off Johnston Drive.  The school would be a franchise of the New Jersey based Rainbow Academy’s early learning centers, and its first school in Pennsylvania.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?