Allentown
Upcoming
Zoning Hearing Board
The Zoning Hearing Board will consider several appeals regarding land use and building requirements. Key items include a proposed 37-story mixed-use tower, a charter school special use application, and requests for professional offices and childcare centers.
- Peregrine Tower: 37-story mixed-use building at 90 S 9th St
- Roberto Clemente Charter School: Special use application at 2268 S 12th St
- Law office parking variance request at 552 N 10th St
- Child care center special use application at 725-731 St John St
Planning Commission
The commission will consider a rezoning amendment regarding data center uses and public notice requirements. They will also review a resubmission for a 7-story apartment building on Allen Street and a sketch plan for a medical office at Tilghman Street.
- Amendment to Chapter 660 Zoning regarding Data Center Use
- West Residences at 2 Allen Street: 7-story mixed-use building with 200 apartments
- 3995 Tilghman Street: Redevelopment of restaurant site into a two-story medical office
Planning Commission
The Allentown Planning Commission will review an amended land development application from Quantm Group, LLC. The proposal seeks to change a previously approved warehouse into a data center and add roughly 23,000 square feet of building space. Commissioners will evaluate the revised site plan before voting on approval.
- Amended land development application for a data center at 2401 Emaus Avenue
- Proposal adds 23,342 square feet to the existing warehouse footprint
- Applicant Quantm Group, LLC required to attend the special meeting
City Council
The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding proposed changes to the zoning ordinance. The amendment aims to tighten rules for data centers by increasing setback requirements and revising noise standards.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 660 Zoning (Bill 52)
- New public notice requirements for data centers
- Increased setback requirements for data center use
- Revised noise and vibration standards
- New decommissioning standards for data centers
City Council
The agenda lists only a special meeting and presentation by the Allentown Housing Authority without specific projects or votes. This appears to be procedural boilerplate or an informational briefing rather than a policy or budget decision. Residents should check the city website for details on the housing authority's update.
- Special meeting with the Allentown Housing Authority for an informational presentation
Last 30 days
Human Relations Commission
The commission will review updates from its various committees and discuss ongoing coordination with the Allentown School District. The meeting also includes a review of new business regarding specific complaints filed by E. Avrez and G. Fritz.
- Allentown School District coordination
- E. Avrez complaint
- G. Fritz complaint
City Council
The council will conduct interviews and select an individual to fill the vacant City Controller position. The meeting includes reviewing resumes and letters from candidates D'Amore and Palmer.
- Interview and selection of Interim City Controller
- Review of candidate D'Amore's resume and letter
- Review of candidate Palmer's resume and letter
City Council
The City Council is meeting with school district officials to discuss community coordination. Discussions will focus on student opportunities, summer programming, and traffic safety near schools.
- Traffic and Pedestrian Safety discussion
- Student Internship and Volunteer Opportunities
- Summer Programming and Youth Engagement
- School Zone presentation
City Council
The City Council is holding a special meeting to introduce Bill 52. This ordinance would amend the city's zoning code regarding manufacturing and industry by adding specific regulations and public notice requirements for data centers.
- Bill 52: Amendments to Zoning Code Section 660-38 regarding Data Center Use
Budget and Finance Committee
The Budget and Finance Committee will review Allentown’s May 2026 monthly finances. The primary action is Resolution 80, which authorizes spending on an independent five-year financial analysis of the city. The resolution also allows for temporarily delaying certain capital projects until that analysis is complete.
- Review of May 2026 monthly municipal finances
- Resolution 80 to fund an independent five-year financial analysis
- Temporary deferral of unspecified city capital projects pending review
Community and Economic Development Committee
The committee is reviewing several personnel reclassifications within the Bureau of Health and CDBG Administration. They are also considering a new ordinance regarding vacant and at-risk properties and discussing encampment policies.
- Bill 52: Amending zoning to include 'Data Center Use' and public notice requirements
- Bill 50: Upgrading pay grades for Opioid Prevention Manager and Health Director
- Bill 51: Downgrading vacant Grants Compliance Administrator position to Assistant level
- Bill 33: Repealing blight laws to adopt new 'Vacant and At Risk Property' chapter
- Discussion on Encampment Policy draft
Environmental Advisory Council
The Council is reviewing a draft letter concerning potential changes to the City's Zoning Ordinance following the passage of Bill 20. Members will evaluate public comments and feedback before voting on the final version of the letter.
- Review of Bill 20 regarding Data Center Regulation
- Analysis of public comments related to Bill 20
- Drafting and approval of a formal letter to city officials
Zoning Hearing Board
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board will evaluate three zoning appeals and special use requests for residential and care facilities. Members will decide whether to grant exceptions for building designs, driveway access, and land-use rules at specific city locations. Applicants must appear to present their cases before the board issues rulings.
- Appeal for two multifamily buildings at 2300 Hanover Ave seeking roof type and driveway access variances
- Special use request to convert a vacant structure at N 7th & N Hall St into six dwelling units
- Application to operate a group child care home at 1213-1217 Highland St with insufficient drop-off space
Public Works Committee
The Public Works Committee will review and vote on Bill 47, which redirects $649,139.15 from AFFF chemical litigation settlements into the city capital budget to fund required PFAS water treatment upgrades. The money comes from recent payouts by BASF and TYCO, with additional 3M settlement payments expected through 2033. The committee will also conduct routine roll call and adjourn.
- Bill 47: Appropriates $649,139.15 from chemical litigation settlements for PFAS cleanup
- Redirects BASF ($190,684.62) and TYCO ($458,454.53) settlement funds to city capital budget
- Updates 2026 Capital Fund Budget to cover new state and federal PFAS treatment requirements
City Council
City Council will hold final votes on several ordinances and resolutions, including a zoning change to allow data centers, a $649k PFAS remediation appropriation, and a $10M grant application for Emmaus Avenue safety upgrades. Also introduced are budget amendments for a crosswalk beacon, health position reclassifications, and a resolution for an independent financial analysis that could defer some capital projects.
- Final vote on zoning amendment adding Data Center use (Bill 20)
- Authorization to apply for $10M Safe Streets grant for Emmaus Avenue corridor safety upgrades (R78)
- Supplemental appropriation of $649,139 from AFFF settlement for PFAS remediation systems (Bill 47)
- Supplemental appropriation of $322,955.50 from Trexler Fund to Parks and Recreation (Bill 48)
- Introduction of resolution for independent five-year financial analysis and temporary deferral of capital projects (R80)
Zoning Hearing Board
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board will hold public hearings on two appeals. One seeks to convert a single-family home at 827 N 5th St into three dwelling units, requiring a variance for excess units and insufficient parking. The other requests a special exception to establish a group child care home at 767 E Washington St, also facing parking shortfalls.
- 827 N 5th St: Convert single-family to 3 units, need variance for density and parking (1 space vs 3 required)
- 767 E Washington St: Establish group child care home, special exception with parking deficiency (2 spaces vs 3 required)
- Public comment accepted via email until 4 pm on June 15
- Meeting held in person and online
Redevelopment Authority
The Redevelopment Authority will review its May financial reports and approve 13 invoices totaling $23,539.86. The board will also hear a draft audit report from Maher Duessel and select approved developers for two key properties.
- Selection of developer for 725 N 10th Street
- Selection of developer for 540 Hamilton Street
- Review of draft audit report by Maher Duessel
- Payment of 13 invoices totaling $23,539.86
City Council
The council will discuss Bill 46, which adds a limited deferred retirement option plan (DROP) to the police pension fund. They will also receive an update on the city's encampment policy.
- Bill 46: Adding Section 75-53 'Limited Deferred Retirement Option Plan' to police pension fund
- Update on Encampment Policy with attached risk assessment rubric
Parks and Recreation Committee
The Parks and Recreation Committee is considering two supplemental appropriations. Bill 48 would allocate $322,955.50 from the Trexler Fund to the Parks and Recreation Department for operating and capital budgets, including a required city match increase of $18,280.50. Bill 43 would appropriate $50,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies for a third round of the Youth Climate Action Fund.
- Bill 48: $322,955.50 Trexler Fund supplemental appropriation for Parks and Recreation, with $18,280.50 match increase
- Bill 43: $50,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies grant for Youth Climate Action Fund
- Both bills are sponsored by the Administration
Human Resources, Administration and Appointments Committee
The committee will discuss Bill 44, which amends the city's administrative code to update the purpose and practices of the Council of Youth. They will also review updates to the Personnel Policy Manual, recent Mayor's Office travel expenses and reports, and a general review of authorities, boards, and commissions.
- Bill 44 amending the Council of Youth chapter in administrative code
- Personnel Policy Manual update review
- Mayor's Office travel expenses and report covering 2022-2026
- Authorities, Boards and Commission review
Planning Commission
The commission will consider final approval for a subdivision creating 6 townhome lots at 401 Harrison Street. Two major projects—a 200-unit mixed-use building and a data center conversion—have been postponed by the applicants.
- Final approval of Southside Homes at Harrison: 6 townhomes on subdivided parcel at 401 Harrison Street
- Postponed: 2 Allen Street – 200-unit apartment building with 18,000 SF retail
- Postponed: 2401 Emaus Avenue – warehouse-to-data center conversion, 247,342 SF
- Approval of minutes from May 12, 2026 meeting
Civil Service Board
The Allentown Civil Service Board will review minutes, discuss updates on rules review, and address promotions and appeals for the Fire Department. The meeting will also include reports from the Fire and Police departments.
- Approval of minutes from May 1, 2026
- Discussion on Section 8 of Rules regarding firefighter psych exam forms
- Discussion on Anthony Matthews appeal regarding seniority and hiring
- Testing for Fire Marshall and Captain of Public Affairs
- Allentown Fire Department and Police Department reports