The annual report for Zoning and Planning was presented to the Bethlehem City Planning Commission at its Feb. 11 meeting. The report included highlights of the Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, and the two historic commissions, for the year of 2020. Here are some highlights:

Planning Commission: Expansion of hotel and conference center at Wind Creek Casino, the Lehigh Busines and Economics building on Webster Street, and the Westgate Mall development phases.

Zoning Hearing Board: The ongoing validity challenge for a zoning amendment for reuse of corner commercial in RG and RT residential zones. Development of apartments at 810 to 813 Monocacy, in the old Miller Wholesale building. 2105 Creek Road, a submission for residential units, and a zoning map change.

Planning Director Darlene Heller said the two historic review boards have been “very active” with demands for new developments on the Southside. Heller added there is some conflict with the Southside Planning Initiative. She said, “Our ordinance is very liberal with the Commercial Business District. Both of the city’s downtowns (north and south sides) are also historic districts, and the two ordinances are not compatible right now.” Heller said the Historic Conservation Commission has had some “challenging reviews,” as they are trying to blend both ordinances, and tailor them to the Southside, where demand for new development is strong.

Heller said the work on the South Bethlehem Greenway is ongoing. The city recently installed an active play area at Adams and Webster streets. Next year Phase Five will extend the Greenway from the bridge area at its southern end, down the slope to the ball fields at Saucon Park.

South Side Vision 2020 is ongoing, working with Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem. Assistant Planning Director Tracy Samuelson is working on a lighting plan, targeting new lighting for the demonstration area. Work has also been done by the Housing subcommittee, including the language for the student housing zoning amendment.

Wayfinding and Signage were less active this year, due to a delay in needed PennDOT reviews. For the local streets, Public Works is seeking a contractor to install signs.

The city received grants from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Northampton County to improve the Monocacy Way from Schoenersville Road north and Illick’s Mill. The city is still seeking grants to connect the trail south to Sand Island and improve the trail.

Work is being done to improve the Zoning Ordinance wording, including short term lodging, student housing and other amendments to make the ordinance more helpful.

The city has received a Walk Works grant, which is a small grant to look at a priority corner, for improvements for pedestrian safety, bike safety, and the design for the entire corridor of East and West Broad Street. The city is also studying placement of a bridge for pedestrians and bikes across the Lehigh River. WRT is the lead consultant. A task force composed of stakeholders, bikers and business owners is studying locations. A grassroots initiative was created to get grant funds for the project, its members will be on the task force.

At the end of the annual report are charts and diagrams with volume of activity. Heller said, “It looks like it has slowed down, but that’s hard to believe. We used to see more warehouse developments. We are seeing more infield development, with significant demand for residential units.

The potential development of the old Boyd Theater was briefly discussed. According to Heller, the new property owner, Playmen Ayazvov has not submitted any plans yet.

Commission member Thomas Barker said, “So last year we had some discussions about Acorn lights on Broad Street. I’m a Westsider, and I get a lot of heat from business owners on the Westside, is there anything new with the lights?”

Heller explained, “We had a very small grant, for a block or two, plus underground conduits for a block or two but there is no more funding.”

Barker asked, “How do we get them to move on this, to 15th Street? “

Heller explained that they do plan to do that, but installing decorator street lights is an expensive investment. “The 250k grant got us one or two blocks; there are not many grants that can be used for that, it’s still on the table. “

The commission approved forwarding the annual report to city council.