Bethlehem City Council, in a pre-regular meeting April 20 in a public hearing, heard a zoning ordinance amendment prepared by the owners of the former Martin Tower property, which, until razed, was the site of the 21-story headquarters for Bethlehem Steel Corporation.

They want to do away with some restrictions on driveway entrances coming off arterial streets and restrictions on parking spaces on the property, which is zoned OMU or Office Mixed Use. The zoning designation of their 53-acre plot at 170 Eighth Ave. is the only property in the city which has the OMU designation.

They also want to change the minimum rear yard setback from the current 30 feet to 20 feet.

City administrators described the proposed amendment as “privately proposed.”

The planning commission voted in March to recommend that council support the proposed amendment.

Duane Wagner, speaking for the owners of the property, developers Lewis Ronca and Norton Herrick with SWB LR Ltd., based in Boca Raton, Fla., offered the first public comment on the zoning amendment request.

“We are requesting three amendments to the zoning of the OMU district,” said Wagner.

The planned medical buildings in the redevelopment plans need relief from Bethlehem’s requirement of a single parking lane between the buildings.

Instead, according to Wagner, they need two parking lanes near both buildings.

This would allow an increase in parking spaces in the front of the buildings to accommodate patients by lessening the distance they have to walk to the buildings.

They also want to change an existing intersection on Eighth Avenue from a three-way to a four-way intersection to improve access to the medical offices.

Also, the developers plan a grocery store and want to change the setback requirement from 20 feet to 30 feet to increase parking spaces.

Wagner said the amendments are “supported by the Mayor [Robert Donchez] and by the City Planning Commission.” He said the proposed amendments have been reviewed by and are supported by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

President of Council Adam Waldron addressed the council members, all of whom were attending remotely via YouTube.

“Council will not be taking any action tonight by a vote. At this point [the vote] is scheduled for May 4,” he said.

Waldron recalled that tentative plans for the property had been discussed in 2015, and those members of the Council who are still in office might recall. He said council didn’t like the idea of a strip mall, nor did they like the idea of plans that reduced “walkability.”

“This may be the only chance you get,” said Waldron to the council, “to ask questions of the developer and the administration [about] a plan that affects a large parcel of land in the heart of the city.”

Current plans call for a grocery store, space for retail businesses, two three-story medical buildings, restaurants, and a 300-room hotel. It also envisions 300 apartments, two gas stations, a one-story office building and a convenience store.

Councilwoman Paige Van Wirt wanted to know why the developer didn’t take the problem to the Zoning Hearing Board and request a variance.

Director of Planning Darlene Heller fielded the question, saying that it was more efficient to request an amendment for the whole 53-acre parcel rather than request variances for the many sites that would need them.

Van Wirt said she wants “walkability” and “good design” and to reduce the impermeable surface.

Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith wanted to know why the parking couldn’t be behind the building.

Wagner responded, saying the parking layout was related to prospective tenants being concerned about the visibility of branding for their product.

Greenspace and walkability were Waldron’s concerns. He asked Wagner if he would agree to discuss these issues with the administration.

“There are several things that I would like to see,” said Mayor Donchez. “I hope there are opportunities for shared parking. I would like the amount of impervious coverage [paved surfaces] on the site be reduced.”

He said he would also like to see safe biking on the site.

Donchez was concerned that stormwater issues as they relate to the nearby Burnside Plantation be considered. He said Burnside Plantation is being considered for World Heritage status. “We do like greenspace and we want recreational opportunities.

“Affordable housing is an important issue,” said Donchez.

“Affordable housing in the city is at point of crisis,” said Alicia Miller Karner, the deputy director of community and economic development for Bethlehem. “It has been an ongoing conversation for a number of years. We’re seeing more and more from the development community step up and pledge some percentage of units as affordable housing. We don’t have the ability to require that they do that, but to encourage and request it is an important step.”

Donchez said the administration is willing to discuss issues with the developer. The mayor said he wanted to see infrastructure that is friendly to pedestrians, and paved or impervious surfaces reduced.

Donchez said he would like to see the developer de-certify parts of the property’s CRIZ (City Revitalization and Improvement Zone) status, which could go to other locations within the city.