Still concerned about parking, Bethlehem City Council on Tuesday night yet again postponed a vote on zoning amendments at the Martin Tower property and later this month will consider a proposal that would place a cap on the number of parking spaces allowed at the site.
Developers say they need zoning to change for redevelopment at Martin Tower. Bethlehem City Council will take first vote tonight. mcall.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mcall.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Martin Tower plans could generate $2.7M in local taxes. But first the zoning needs to change.
Updated May 04, 2021;
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The proposed Martin Tower redevelopment could generate $2.7 million in increased local real estate taxes, but project developers say they need a zoning change to get it off the ground.
The owners of the 53-acre site are pitching a mixed-use redevelopment including medical office buildings, a hotel, a grocery store, gas station and convenience store, retail and apartments. They’ve asked Bethlehem City Council to back a zoning change they say is necessary to lock in agreements with several of those users.
Bethlehem council not on board with Martin Tower changes without more details on redevelopment
Updated 6:00 AM;
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Members of Bethlehem City Council want more detail on the redevelopment of the 53-acre Martin Tower site before granting zoning changes that could allow for a more suburban project.
Council held a public hearing Tuesday night on the developer’s request to weak the zoning rules governing the redevelopment of the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. world headquarters to allow for more parking near proposed medical buildings, the addition of a new Eighth Avenue entrance and a slightly denser development.
Council took no action on the request Tuesday, but spent more than an hour peppering the developer representative, Duane Wagner, and the city administration with questions about the proposal and how the project fits into the city’s goals of a more sustainable, walkable and equitable community with green spaces for residents.