“That is not our project,” Mayor William Reynolds said June 18 to a capacity crowd at Wesley United Methodist Church. Wesley played host while Reynolds addressed the controversial proposal from nearby First Presbyterian Church for a 200-unit affordable housing complex to be built on its 32-acre campus on Center Street.

“The Bethlehem I know and love is being destroyed,” said a resident named Janet to thunderous applause.

It was one the pivotal moments of the two-and-a-half hour community meeting which began with a 45-minute presentation by Reynolds and city officials on the Opening Doors Initiative.

Backed by Deputy Director of Community Development Sara Satullo and City Planning Director Darlene Heller, Reynolds did his best to explain program’s objectives and address resident’s questions.

Zoning questions poured in from multiple microphones.

Reynolds said, “We are not going to bring forward any type of zoning change as it relates to a map change or text reference for anything happening to First Presbyterian.”

He added he has no idea what First Presbyterian officials will do in terms of zoning issues.

John, a longtime neighborhood resident, asked Reynolds whether he or any member of his administration has spoken directly with First Presbyterian about the plans, to which Reynolds answered, “We have had no conversations about their plans. It’s not our plan.”

Reynolds said rezoning the area is not something his administration would support, but they are not the ones who would vote on it either. City council has the final say on what would be a long process to allow such a project to move forward.

Councilman Bryan Callahan addressed the audience and the mayor, telling residents who chose to move into the neighborhood, “You have a right to live in a single-family neighborhood. And you have a right to buy that house, live in it, raise your family and expect that zoning is not going to change.”

Callahan agreed the mayor does not have the power to change zoning designations. He raised the issue of a newer member of the zoning board, however, as having publicly stated being in favor of rezoning in cases to allow multifamily homes.

Callahan was not the only person in the audience to question any zoning changes.

Another resident, new to the Center Street area, told the mayor allowing this 200-unit project would drastically change the character of the neighborhood he chose to move to and said any idea of rezoning should be rejected.

After over two hours of discussion, representatives of Wesley United Methodist Church closed the meeting, even though there were still a dozen individuals lined-up for their chance to ask Reynolds questions.