Allentown’s new zoning code aims to make building easier, more affordable

The City of Allentown has a new Zoning Code, which is aimed at bringing construction and economic development into the 21st century, while addressing many needs in the city – including housing. 

“The fundamental decision to change our zoning code was to be more specific to where we are today,” said Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. “Our zoning code was written in a different time for a city with different needs.” 

Jennifer Gomez, director of the Allentown Bureau of Planning and Zoning, said that Allentown’s zoning code rewrite project originated from Vision 2030, the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which serves as one of the City’s ten-year guiding documents.  

With the new zoning code, the city seeks to remove obstacles to building in the city by streamlining development review and approval procedures; encouraging development in targeted growth locations; incorporating updated design standards and new place-making tools promoting walkable mixed-use development patterns; and offering a variety of housing choices for city residents. 

 Housing, of course, is a major issue in the city and housing regulations within the new zoning code aim to increase supply and affordability.  

The new code, for example, allows housing in mixed-use zones. 

Tuerk said while people might not want to live near a heavy manufacturing plant, something like a medium-sized bakery might make a nice neighbor. 

“We’re trying to create an environment that makes it easier for people to build more affordably,” Tuerk said. 

 Under the new code all new buildings must be constructed according to one of the defined building types.  

“This will provide more predictability on what can be built in the various neighborhoods and help ensure future development will be more compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods,” Gomez said. “The zoning map was created after a detailed analysis of all existing building types in Allentown today. The building types identified helped determine the locations for new zoning districts.” 

 She said the resulting maps are generally much more closely aligned with the building types that exist today, with some modifications where better regulations could result in a more walkable urban development pattern. 

The new code also was created to support Allentown’s history and identity of a manufacturing economy by preserving industrial districts for manufacturing uses and expanding the locations where low-impact and artisan manufacturing can occur.  

Gomez added that regulations within the code specifically aim to ensure the city’s zoning and land development regulations are consistent, context sensitive, and housing supportive with the aim of making the city vibrant and walkable.  

“The proposed code introduces new regulations that are also employment friendly with a focus on the manufacturing economy, green and healthy development, and predictable and transparent,” she said.