The 8th Avenue neighborhood in West Side, Bethlehem, PA, is known for its charming single-family and twin homes along with a tight-knit community. Recently, a buyer acquired a beautiful single-family house with the intention of demolishing it to erect a three-story apartment building comprising six units. Although the buyer was aware of existing zoning laws requiring a 90-foot lot width, they are now seeking a variance to reduce this requirement to just 80 feet. Such a move would bring the building unsettlingly close to surrounding dwellings, disrupting the existing community fabric.

The proposed apartment complex poses significant concerns for our neighborhood. Off-street parking is severely limited, with available access via a single-lane alley that leads to a dead-end street. An increase in vehicles due to new residents will exacerbate parking woes, deteriorate traffic flow, and potentially hinder emergency services should they need access.

Moreover, the buyer is requesting to slash the mandated 15-foot parking lot buffer to a mere 10 feet. These requests signal an intent to push profit over the community's well-being, aiming to maximize the number of apartments at the cost of our neighborhood's aesthetic and safety. The design and scale of such a development do not align with the character of the 8th Avenue community and sets a worrying precedent for future developments.

Fellow residents of Bethlehem, this is a call to action. The variance requests cater more to financial interests than to the interests of those who call this area home. We need to stand together and express our concerns to the local zoning board, emphasizing that existing zoning codes are in place to protect our community's character and residents.

Please add your signature below to oppose the current variance request. Let us remind the decision-makers of the value of community input and the importance of preserving the charm and cohesion of our beloved 8th Avenue neighborhood.