Allentown Community and Economic Development Committee Meeting - June 24, 2026

The Community and Economic Development (CED) Committee held a lengthy meeting on June 24, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM. The primary focus was on Bill 52, which amends data center regulations following the passage of Bill 20. The committee also considered budget reclassifications (Bills 50 and 51), a vacant property ordinance (Bill 33), a presentation on the city's violence prevention plan, and a discussion on the draft encampment policy. All action items were moved forward to full council.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was used; all items were discussed individually.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kyle Rapsky (Chair, Environmental Advisory Council) thanked the council and administration for Bill 52, noted that the EAC's priority areas (setback, decommissioning, noise) were addressed, and encouraged continued refinement on heat mitigation, water conservation, renewable energy, and public disclosure. He also promoted the Climate Action Plan event on June 27.
• Alicia Ruth Roff (9th Street resident) asked for clarification that data centers are special exception, not by-right, and suggested context-specific setbacks (e.g., from schools, parks). She asked for a definition of "good faith efforts" for renewable energy.
• Mary Collier (Easton resident) expressed gratitude for removing the IG district and for the special exception process. She raised concerns about the phrase "no special exception or variance required" in the public notice section and asked about conditional use versus special exception. She suggested increasing the 75-foot street setback, the 25-foot landscape buffer to 100 feet with a 15-foot tree height requirement, and adding requirements for licensed professionals, renewable energy, daily water consumption thresholds, traffic impact studies, light pollution regulations, and tier-four generators for backup power.
• Spencer Snig (7th and Tilghman) argued that setbacks should be based on the severity of impact (like incinerator plants) and that low-frequency sound (subharmonics) travels far and should be considered medically or psychologically impactful.
• Julie Vitaly (728 West Green Street) supported the improvements, urged learning from other cities, and questioned why parks were not listed as sensitive receptors. She stressed protecting children from sound, smog, and light pollution.
• Kathy (South Side, daughter of city employee) urged provisions for emergency disaster and fire hazards, ground pollution, and liability for data center operators. She called for fire department and emergency management to approve changes and for a bond to cover costs.
• Christopher Gelctoro (East Side) expressed concerns about rising costs of electricity and water for residents due to data centers.
• William Garcki (3124 Pearl Avenue) asked for an explanation of the difference between IG (general industrial) and IM (heavy industrial) districts.
• Travis Feller (29th and Turner) suggested moving the public meeting requirement from two weeks to 30 days in advance, requiring the project website to be posted 30 days prior, and including all studies. He questioned the 50,000-square-foot minimum for acreage and the use of "professional engineer" versus "registered professional engineer." He recommended the city reserve the right to require third-party verification of studies.
• Sarah Leiden (former Allentown resident) warned that data centers are marketed by hedge fund managers, are a new territory, and could become stranded assets. She asked about decommissioning plans and return on investment.
• Lindy Wilde (South 10th Street) emphasized the need for explicit safeguards on water and waste management, and asked about the impact on the electrical grid and water supply.
• Kristen Fricky (Chu Street) thanked for the dialogue, asked if child care includes all educational services, and said 500 feet is insufficient for parks, education, and healthcare. She urged town halls for public awareness.
• Lindsay (during violence prevention discussion) asked about targeted policing similar to Baltimore's approach.
• Christina (Commission on Homelessness) thanked for including the commission, but expressed concern that the encampment policy is not codified and could be changed at the mayor's discretion. She argued that the policy lacks resources to provide meaningful housing alternatives.
• Asher Chavon (Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors) requested two amendments to Bill 33: limiting the definition of vacant parcels and returning the appeals process to the Blighted Property Review Committee instead of the department.

Discussion Items

Bill 52 – Data Center Zoning Amendments

• Administration Presentation (Jennifer Gomez, Planning Director): The amendments include: (1) a 500-foot setback from sensitive receptors (increased from 200 feet); (2) removal of the IG zoning district (only heavy industrial IM remains); (3) decommissioning standards; (4) enhanced noise regulations. Additional changes add public notification requirements (project website, neighborhood meetings). The administration noted that these changes are the first phase; further refinements (e.g., noise ordinance citywide, water reuse, renewable energy) will come later.
• Council and Administration Dialogue: Council members clarified that the 500-foot setback is the maximum legally defensible; a 1,000-foot setback would eliminate all buildable land. Renewable energy mandates are prohibited by state law. A closed-loop water system is being studied. Councilperson Napoli asked about annual noise and water testing; Gomez described a proposed independent verification system for noise. Councilperson Bender confirmed that many safeguards (special exception, planning commission, zoning hearing board) were already in Bill 20.
• Councilperson Gerlach emphasized the urgency and that the amendments are legally sound and quickly implementable.

Bill 50 – Budget Upgrade for Opioid Prevention Manager and Health Director

• The administration requested upgrading the opioid prevention manager from S9 to S11 (100% grant-funded) and the health director from S18 to S21 (partially grant-funded) to reflect increased responsibilities and cabinet-level duties. The health department has grown 30% since 2017.
• No public questions. Moved forward.

Bill 51 – Budget Downgrade for Grants Compliance Administrator

• The position of grants compliance administrator (S11, vacant) is downgraded to assistant grants compliance administrator (S7) to match duties. The position is 60% HUD grant-funded and 40% general fund, but after downgrade will be ~90% grant-funded. Public comment asked why a downgrade is done if trying to hire; administration responded that the duties align with assistant-level work.

Bill 33 – Vacant and At-Risk Property Ordinance

• The administration explained the ordinance repeals the old abandoned rail property blight chapter and creates a new chapter (611) to track vacant properties. Appeals are handled within the department for speed. Councilperson Bender asked about returning appeals to the Blighted Property Review Committee; administration noted the committee is understaffed and meets quarterly, so the department route is faster. Councilperson Pungle noted that the department can be fair based on past experience.

Violence Prevention Plan Presentation

• Brayley (Violence Prevention Coordinator) presented a draft plan focused on building infrastructure and partnerships. Key points: a North Star goal to prevent violence before it occurs using community-oriented tools; a coalition of 20+ partners (APD, ASD, DA's office, nonprofits); emphasis on data sharing and case management for high-risk individuals. He noted that the plan is a public document and implementation is underway. David (Health Bureau) added that the city is lucky to have Brayley and that funding will be needed.
• Council discussed the similarity to Baltimore's targeted policing approach and welcomed quarterly updates.

Encampment Policy Discussion

• Administration (David) provided an update: the policy has been with the law department for review; a redlined version will be sent to council soon. Unhoused Services Coordinator would likely score encampments using a rubric, with the administration making final decisions. Councilperson Gerlach expressed concern about the scorer's role turning into case management, asked for clarification on "minor items," and urged posting "no camping" signs. Councilperson Moda asked for consistency in scoring. Councilperson Pungle suggested color-coding redlines for different departments.
• Christina (Commission on Homelessness) argued the policy should be codified as an ordinance, not a mayoral policy that can be revoked at any time. The administration agreed to remove the discretionary clause.
• The committee agreed to continue discussions with law, police, and public works before moving forward.

Key Outcomes

• Bill 52 (Data Centers): Moved forward to full council (voice vote, all in favor).
• Bill 50 (Budget Upgrade): Moved forward to full council (voice vote, all in favor).
• Bill 51 (Budget Downgrade): Moved forward to full council (voice vote, all in favor).
• Bill 33 (Vacant Property): Moved forward to full council (voice vote, all in favor).
• Violence Prevention Plan: Received as informational; no vote. Council expressed support and requested quarterly updates.
• Encampment Policy: No vote. The administration will provide a redlined document incorporating legal, police, and council comments; further discussions will follow with the goal of codification.