Allentown Zoning Hearing Board - March 30, 2026: Three Child Care Special Exception Applications
Allentown Zoning Hearing Board Meeting - March 30, 2026
The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board convened on March 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM to consider three special exception applications for child care facilities. The board consisted of members Samantha McLean, Scott Unger, and Robert Canauer. All three cases involved requests to convert existing family child care homes to group child care homes or to establish new group child care operations. The board heard testimony from applicants, property owners, and public objectors, and rendered decisions on each case.
Case 1: 1705 Highland Street – Vanessa Maricchio Varera (Appeal and Special Use Application)
Applicant Testimony: The applicant, Vanessa Maricchio Varera, owns the property and currently operates a family child care at another location. She proposed to operate a group child care home at 1705 Highland Street, 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, with 7–12 children and three staff members. She plans to install two additional off-street parking spaces in the side yard (as per a contractor quote from Dromo Paving) and fence the backyard for play space. The applicant stated no exterior changes to the building would be made.
Public Comments & Testimony: Six objectors raised their hands; four spoke. Concerns included:
- Jodie Somogyi (1722 W Highland): described parking congestion, lack of street lighting, safety issues on Highland Street (described as a "racetrack"), and the loss of backyard play space if parking is installed.
- Brent Millet (1715 Highland): added concerns about limited parking, difficulty exiting his alley due to parked cars, and increased traffic volume.
- Heather Dad (1709 Highland): expressed anxiety about noise, safety, and strangers in the neighborhood; presented a petition with 33 signatures opposing the use.
- Joseph Dad (1709 Highland): raised concerns about property values and mixing business with residential.
- Taylor Dad (1709 Highland): echoed discomfort and safety concerns for their family and dog.
Discussion: Board member Scott Unger expressed concerns about the intensity of a 24/7 operation, the small rear yard, and the juxtaposition of parking and play space. The zoning supervisor clarified that the city code requires designated off-street pickup/drop-off area and that play space (indoor or outdoor) must be safe and not used for other purposes. The board discussed conditioning approval on the installation of the two off-street parking spaces and compliance with all city and state licensing requirements.
Key Outcomes: The board approved the special exception by a 2–1 vote (Samantha McLean and Robert Canauer in favor, Scott Unger opposed). Conditions included:
- The use must be operated as testified.
- The applicant must install two off-street parking spaces meeting city standards.
- The applicant must comply with all city and state requirements for a group child care home, including those for off-street drop-off/pickup and play space (indoor or outdoor, as determined by licensing agencies).
Case 2: 410 South West Street – Mercedes (Special Use Application)
Applicant Testimony: The applicant, Mercedes, currently operates a family child care at 305 S 18th Street and owns the property at 410 S West Street (purchased in February 2026). She proposed to move her residence and group child care operation to 410, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a staff of three. She currently has a license for six children in shifts; the group home would serve up to 12 children. The property is currently a single-family dwelling.
Public Comments: No objectors were present. Three email statements were noted but not given weight due to lack of cross-examination.
Discussion: The board confirmed the applicant's intent to occupy the residence and operate the group child care. No negative impacts were testified.
Key Outcomes: The board unanimously approved the application with the condition that the use be operated as testified and in compliance with all local and state regulations.
Case 3: 339 West Lexington Street – Andres Perez Reyes (Special Use Application)
Applicant Testimony: The operator, Ms. Sosa (tenant), currently runs a family child care at the property with a lease dated February 1, 2025, and has operated for nine months. She proposed to increase to a group child care home with 7–12 children, operating Monday–Friday, 5:30 AM to 9:30 PM, with two staff members (potentially three if needed). The property owner, Andres Perez Reyes, has owned the property for 1.5 years. The daycare currently serves about 10 children per day, with a maximum of six at any time. No exterior modifications are planned.
Public Comments: No objectors were present. One email from an objector was noted but given limited weight.
Discussion: The board noted the applicant's testimony that operating hours would not change, and that all required licenses are held. The board found no basis for denial.
Key Outcomes: The board unanimously approved the special exception, conditioned on the use being operated as testified and compliance with all applicable city and state regulations. The board also added a condition that the use shall not disrupt vehicular traffic in the neighborhood.
Additional Notes
- The board noted that all approvals are subject to required permits from the city.
- The next hearing was scheduled for a few weeks later.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we call to order the meeting of the zoning hearing board for the city of Allentown for March thirtieth, twenty twenty six. Uh the board this evening consists of Samantha McLean to my right, Scott Unger to my left, my name's Robert Canauer. We have three matters on our agenda for this evening, and in just a moment our secretary will call that list. She will ask if uh there are any objectors present for each respective case, and we ask that they raise their hands so we can get a count. She'll ask if there are also interested persons not necessarily objectors, and we ask that if so, they raise their hands so we can get a count. Go ahead, Tabby. Case number one, special use application and appeal of Vanessa Maricchio Varera at seventeen oh five Highland Street. Is the appellant present? The appellant is present. Are there any objectors to case number one? Keep your hands up high, please. Mercedes at four ten South West Street. Is the appellant present? The appellant is present. Are there any objectors to case number two? No. Are there any interested parties not necessarily objectors to case number two? No. Case number three, special use application of Andres Perez Reyes at three thirty nine West Lexington Street. Is the appellant present? The appellant is present. Are there any objectors to case number three? No. Are there any interested parties not necessarily objectors to case number three? Yeah. Okay, good idea. That was the third on the list. I will be uh translating. Your translator. Okay, for any one. Okay, and you're translating four? For both, all right. Okay. Can you personally swear it on? And then I'm gonna ask you to have their names and spell their names and then we could go on. Do you swear to interpret to the rest of your village in like English to Spanish and Spanish English? Yes, I do. Yes. Okay, who is the the operator of the existing? Uh I think there's an existing child care. You're the operator? Okay, and you are the owner of the property? Yes. Okay. And you support the application? Yes. Okay. You can have a seat right now and we'll speak with the uh operator here. And he has Andre, Audrey, Andreas? Okay.
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