Allentown panels advance data center regulations, financial review; zoning board to consider 37-story tower
City boards and committees addressed a slate of zoning changes, financial oversight and personnel moves over the past two weeks, while several major development proposals move toward public hearings in the coming days.
Zoning and land use
The City Council introduced Bill 52 at a special meeting June 24, a measure that would add data center uses and public notification requirements to the zoning code’s manufacturing and industrial sections. The Community and Economic Development Committee reviewed the same bill alongside a separate proposal (Bill 33) to repeal existing blight laws and adopt a new chapter for vacant and at-risk properties. The committee also discussed an encampment policy draft.
Earlier, the June 22 Zoning Hearing Board agenda included appeals for two multifamily buildings at 2300 Hanover Ave seeking roof-type and driveway-access variances, a special-use request to convert a vacant structure at North 7th and Hall streets into six dwellings, and an application for a group child care home at 1213-1217 Highland St with insufficient drop-off space. Minutes were not immediately published.
City finances
On June 24, the Budget and Finance Committee reviewed May 2026 monthly finances and introduced Resolution 80, which would authorize funding for an independent five-year financial analysis of the city. The same resolution would temporarily defer certain capital projects until that analysis is complete. No dollar amounts were included in the agenda.
Personnel and appointments
The Community and Economic Development Committee also considered job reclassifications: Bill 50 would upgrade pay grades for the Opioid Prevention Manager and Health Director, while Bill 51 would downgrade a vacant Grants Compliance Administrator position to an assistant-level role. Separately, the City Council met July 1 to interview and select a new interim City Controller from candidates D’Amore and Palmer. No decision had been published as of July 5.
School coordination and complaints
The City Council held a special joint session with Allentown School District on June 25, covering traffic and pedestrian safety, student internships, summer programming and a school-zone presentation. On July 2, the Human Relations Commission discussed ongoing coordination with the school district and reviewed new complaints filed by E. Avrez and G. Fritz.
Environment and data center regulations
At the June 22 Environmental Advisory Council, members reviewed a draft letter to city officials concerning potential changes to the zoning ordinance following passage of Bill 20, which touched on data center regulation. The council evaluated public comments before preparing to vote on a final version.
Coming up
On July 13, the Zoning Hearing Board will consider a 37-story mixed-use tower proposed at 90 S 9th St, a special-use application for Roberto Clemente Charter School at 2268 S 12th St, a parking variance for a law office at 552 N 10th St, and a child care center at 725-731 St John St.
The Planning Commission meets July 14 to review a zoning amendment on data center uses as well as a 200-unit, seven-story apartment building at 2 Allen Street and a medical office redevelopment at 3995 Tilghman Street. A separate commission meeting July 16 will evaluate an amended land development plan from Quantm Group LLC to convert a previously approved warehouse at 2401 Emaus Ave into a data center, adding about 23,342 square feet of building space.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.