Allentown City Council Meeting - June 17, 2026

The Allentown City Council convened on June 17, 2026, to address a packed agenda dominated by a contentious debate over data center zoning (Bill 20) and a proposed municipal curative amendment. The meeting, which ran long into the evening, included public testimony on police brutality allegations, updates on the city's Climate Action Plan, and approval of several budget and contract items. The council ultimately passed Bill 20, establishing a special exception process for data centers with a 200-foot setback, while defeating a motion to initiate a 180-day curative amendment review.

Consent Calendar

• R70: Approved contract with Urban Design Ventures LLC for consulting services (up to $100,000 per year) for CDBG, ESG, and consolidated planning. Passed 6-0.
• R71: Approved cooperative contracts for IT goods and services over $40,000. Passed 6-0.
• Minutes: Approved minutes from May 20, 2026 meeting. Passed 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Eddie Aviles and Gary Fritz: Testified about a June 6, 2026 arrest by the Allentown Parking Authority, alleging excessive force, a homophobic slur ("faggot") used by an officer, and denial of medical attention while in custody. They demanded a full investigation and dismissal of charges. Council President Santos stated the complaint is already under investigation by the Office of Professional Standards.
• Kyle Rapsky (Chair, Environmental Advisory Council): Promoted the city's first Climate Action Plan, noting two of three phase one meetings are complete. The next in-person meeting is June 27, 2026 from 2:00-3:30 PM at Fearless Fire Company (South Side). A $25 stipend is available for pre-registered attendees. A survey is also open for public input.
• Multiple speakers on data centers (Bill 20): Over 20 residents spoke, overwhelmingly urging the council to reject Bill 20 and instead pass the municipal curative amendment. Key concerns included insufficient 200-foot setbacks, noise, water usage (up to 5 million gallons/day for large data centers), electricity consumption (equivalent to 10,000-25,000 homes), and proximity to sensitive uses like Camelot for Children, a nonprofit serving children with serious illnesses. Speakers highlighted examples from other communities and stressed the need for stronger language than "strongly encouraged" regarding water efficiency and renewable energy.
• Public comment on Bill 44 (Youth Council): Jayliebet Baez, youth president of the Healthy Love Club, supported the bill, emphasizing the need for youth voices in city decisions.
• Public comment on R80 (financial analysis): Controller Patel suggested using existing auditors rather than hiring new ones for the proposed five-year financial analysis.

Discussion Items

• Curative Amendment Motion (Resolution): Councilmember Gerlock moved to suspend rules to add a resolution for a municipal curative amendment, which would declare the current zoning ordinance substantially invalid regarding data centers and impose a 180-day moratorium on related applications. The motion passed 6-0. However, after extensive debate, the resolution itself failed 2-4 (Gerlock and Santos in favor; Moda, Pungo, Bender, Napoli opposed).
• Bill 20 (Data Center Zoning): The administration, through Managing Director Kane and Planning Director Gomez, advocated for Bill 20, arguing it provides immediate safeguards (200-foot setback, special exception review, sound study, decommissioning plan) and allows future amendments. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) representative, Jill Seitz, stated the ordinance is "more comprehensive than the majority" of similar ordinances and is legally defensible. Opponents argued the 200-foot setback is insufficient, the bill could greenlight the MAS Avenue data center, and a curative amendment would allow stronger protections without legal risk. After tabling Bill 20 to consider the curative amendment, the council voted to untable it and passed Bill 20 4-2 (Bender, Moda, Pungo, Napoli in favor; Gerlock, Santos opposed).
• Bill 43: Supplemental appropriation of $50,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies for a third round of the Youth Climate Action Fund. Passed 6-0.
• Bill 44: Amended the Council of Youth ordinance to update its purpose and practices. Passed 6-0 after supportive public comment.
• Bill 47: Supplemental appropriation of $649,139.15 for PFAS remediation systems, funded by class action settlement payments from BASF and TICO. The city has received $3.77 million total from PFAS litigation. Passed 6-0.
• Bill 48: Supplemental appropriation of $322,955.50 from the Trexler Fund for parks and recreation, including a required city match. Passed 6-0.
• R74 (Paul Anthony appointment to ANIZDA): Removed from consent agenda due to abstentions by Gerlock and Santos. Passed 4-0 (with two abstentions).
• R78: Authorized application for a $10 million Safe Streets and Roads for All grant (with 20% city match) for safety upgrades on Emmaus Avenue. Passed 6-0.
• R79: Canceled the July 1, 2026 regular council meeting. Passed 6-0, with council members pledging to schedule a special meeting soon to begin strengthening Bill 20.
• Bill 49-51: Introduced and referred to committees: Bill 49 (crosswalk signs, to Public Works), Bill 50 (opioid prevention manager and health director upgrades, to CED), Bill 51 (grants compliance administrator downgrade, to CED).
• R80: Introduced to authorize a five-year financial analysis and temporary deferral of certain capital projects. Referred to Budget and Finance Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 20 Passed (4-2): The council approved zoning amendments adding "data center" as a special exception use in IG and IM districts with a 200-foot setback from sensitive receptors. Future amendments (e.g., setback increase, noise ordinance changes) are planned for introduction in July 2026.
• Curative Amendment Defeated (2-4): A motion to initiate a 180-day municipal curative amendment failed. Councillors Gerlock and Santos voted in favor; Moda, Pungo, Bender, and Napoli opposed, citing legal uncertainty and risk of leaving the city unprotected.
• Council committed to swift amendments: Multiple council members and the administration agreed to expedite amendments to Bill 20, potentially including a 500-foot setback, stronger noise standards (DBC measurement), decommissioning escrow funds, and improved public notification. A special meeting may be scheduled in late June or early July.
• Upcoming meetings: The next regular council meeting is July 15, 2026. A special meeting on data center amendments is anticipated. The CED committee will meet June 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM. The Allentown Planning Commission will review the MAS Avenue data center application at a future date (not yet scheduled), with a request for evening and Spanish translation accommodations.