OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Bethlehem City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026: Zoning Amendments, Public Comments, and Resolutions

Council Meetings — Tuesday, July 7, 2026
BodyBethlehem, Pennsylvania
SessionCouncil Meetings
DateTuesday, July 7, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:46:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

You look good.

0:01

Thank you.

0:02

You look good.

0:02

We were gotta dress up for work.

0:06

Good evening.

0:07

We're gonna get started with our meeting this evening.

0:10

I'd like to ask for everyone to please rise for the budget to the flag.

0:24

Which stands one nation under God.

0:32

The clerk will call the roll.

0:34

Mr.

0:34

Raymond present.

0:35

Mr.

0:36

Callahan present.

0:37

Mr.

0:37

Cologne.

0:38

Present.

0:38

Ms.

0:38

Daniels.

0:39

Present.

0:39

Ms.

0:39

Queatech.

0:40

Present.

0:40

And Ms.

0:41

Laird.

0:42

Present.

0:44

Prior to the consideration of our regular agenda items, city council will be conducting a public hearing tonight to accept public comment concerning proposed zoning text amendments that would modify the definition of hotel in the zoning ordinance so as to include transient guests who are defined as individuals renting lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days.

1:07

The amendments would have the effect of excluding short-term rentals in residential districts where hotels are prohibited.

1:14

Other proposed amendments.

1:47

In connection with this public hearing, there are two communications.

1:52

The clerk will now read them.

1:53

Communication 6A, the June 17th memorandum from Kathy Fletcher, Director of Planning and Zoning, recommending approval of zoning text amendments intended to clarify short-term rental regulations at the limited commercial zoning district under the workforce housing incentive and limit one single family dwelling per residential lot.

2:14

The city's planning commission voted five to zero on July 11th, 2026 to recommend approval of the uh correction that'd be June 11th, I believe, 2026 to recommend approval of these amendments.

2:31

And then communication 6B, a June 29th, 2026 correspondent from Jacob Weinberg, a community and regional planner with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

2:40

Mr.

2:41

Weinberg states that updating the definition of hotels and transient guests at hotels and treatment centers to include the time frames that constitute a stay, quote, encourages inefficient process that is responsive to regional needs, unquote, by adding clarification.

2:58

Additionally, the proposals to expand the areas where workforce housing incentives apply and limiting the number of single family detached dwellings to one per lot help to quote provide a wide variety of attainable housing and locations that maximize social and economic opportunities for everyone, unquote.

3:19

This public hearing is called to order.

3:31

Good evening, everyone.

3:33

Um I'm Kathy Fletcher.

3:34

I'm the director of planning and zoning here at the city, and I'll be walking us through these text amendments to get the public hearing started.

3:43

Um, but before we get into the amendments, I just wanted to give you a little bit of background of why we're here today.

3:49

Um periodically, the planning and zoning bureau will put together a package of unrelated text amendments rather than a one-off um use case scenario.

4:00

Um, so you know, as we're going about our regular business, different cases will show up as we're applying the zoning ordinance, where we can identify areas that can be um improved for clarity or where there might be unintended inconsistencies.

4:16

So this is an example of when we work with our law bureau to um package together a set of amendments to move through the process all at once.

4:27

Um, so that's what we're going to be doing today.

4:30

So just to go over the process, um, what's in front of you today was included as a communication in the city's June 2nd City Council meeting and has since been reviewed by both the city's planning commission as well as the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, as Mr.

4:47

Miller just um read out to you all.

4:51

Um, and both of their letters are included in your packets.

4:56

So to walk through um these amendments themselves.

5:00

Um sections one through four are related to each other.

5:05

So they are all really intending to bring short-term rentals into the definition of a hotel.

5:13

And that's really clarifying that stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days are considered transient lodging.

5:21

And it also allows us to ensure that short-term rentals such as Airbnbs or similar are only permitted where hotels are currently permitted.

5:31

Um and to this date, we've been treating Airbnbs basically as hotels rather than um family residences, which is permitted by the PA zoning case law, but that has not clearly been codified in our own zoning ordinance.

5:47

So this is really um clearly providing that definition to better enforce these uses.

5:54

Section five is more of a standalone.

5:57

Um, and that is expanding the workforce housing incentive to include the limited commercial CL district.

6:05

And what workforce housing incentive really does is it provides flexibility in projects that include housing that is affordable to households that are earning 80% or less of the area median income.

6:20

So it's really targeting that affordable housing component and aligning um adding this district better aligns the ordinance with the city's broader housing and affordability goals.

6:33

And then lastly, um, section six clarifies that only one principal single family detached dwelling is permitted on a single lot.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Affordable Housing██████████████14%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Economic Development█████████9%
Zoning And Land Use████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Historic Preservation██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Arts And Culture███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Bethlehem City Council Meeting – July 7, 2026

The Bethlehem City Council held a regular meeting on July 7, 2026, starting at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting included a public hearing on proposed zoning text amendments to clarify short-term rental regulations, expand workforce housing incentives, and limit single-family dwellings to one per lot. Following the hearing, the council conducted general public comment, considered new business, and voted on numerous ordinances and resolutions.

Public Hearing: Zoning Text Amendments

  • Kathy Fletcher, Director of Planning and Zoning, presented a package of six zoning text amendments. Sections 1–4 clarify that short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnbs) are transient lodging (stays under 30 consecutive days) and are only permitted where hotels are allowed. Section 5 expands the workforce housing incentive to the Limited Commercial (CL) district. Section 6 clarifies that only one principal single-family detached dwelling is allowed per lot. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 on June 11, 2026, to recommend approval, and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission provided a favorable letter on June 29, 2026.
  • Councilman Laird asked if the amendments strengthen enforcement; Fletcher confirmed they provide clearer legal authority.
  • Bruce Haynes (63 West Church Street, managing partner of Hotel Bethlehem) expressed full support, stating the amendments help combat illegal Airbnbs in the historic district, reduce litigation costs, and protect housing stock. He noted Hotel Bethlehem’s leisure business increased 9% in Q4, 12% in Q1, and 20% in the most recent quarter, with advanced bookings up 30%.
  • Mike Staffer (resident) supported the amendments and urged the council to balance growth with quality of life, citing traffic and congestion concerns.
  • Stefan Scheidi (Wall Street resident) encouraged a positive vote on the amendments.
  • The public hearing concluded, and the proposed ordinance was placed on the July 21, 2026 agenda for first reading.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Deborah Condon (903 Spring Street) spoke in favor of the proposed buffer yard protection amendment (Communication 6R), arguing it would provide equal environmental protection to residents of twin homes and row houses, many of whom are lower-income and minorities.
  • Artie Curatola (self-described writer/performer) made comments regarding ArtsQuest and Israel; the solicitor intervened to stop statements of attribution. The speaker was eventually asked to sit down.
  • Dr. Michael Pipestone (1130 West Market Street) supported the buffer yard amendment, citing health benefits of green spaces (reduced urban heat, asthma rates, emergency room visits).
  • Tammy Rinker (630 15th Avenue) and Siona Broughtlight (412 2nd Avenue) also voiced support for the buffer yard amendment.
  • Terry Kloiber (Grandview Boulevard) raised concerns about the proposed Bennett Lot development (seven buildings, ~410 apartments) and questioned the city’s commitment to quality of life.
  • Carmela Monaghan (209 Mountain Area Avenue) supported buffer yards and opposed overdevelopment.
  • Stephen Taleks (737 Ridge) criticized the council’s recent treatment of public speakers, citing a previous meeting where a speaker was cut off at the five-minute limit.
  • Judith Ross (317 Rock above Perone) spoke in favor of buffers and nature preservation.
  • Mr. Antalex (spoke twice) addressed the conflict between personal beliefs and official duties, and thanked the council for attention during his earlier comments.

Discussion Items

  • Councilwoman Daniels thanked supporters of the buffer yard amendment and noted it addresses inequity in zoning protections for all residential properties.
  • Councilman Cologne thanked the administration for sharing the Citizens Traffic Advisory Committee meeting on social media.
  • Councilman Callahan inquired about a flagpole at Lehigh Little League (a cell tower in disguise) and asked for follow-up for veterans.
  • Councilman Callahan also noted he had sent a request for a committee meeting to Councilwoman Quitek but had not received a reply; it was clarified the email may have been missed.
  • New Business guidelines were reiterated: items requiring deep discussion should be submitted via the agenda process or referred to committee.

Key Outcomes

  • Public Hearing concluded: The zoning text amendment ordinance will be placed on the July 21, 2026 agenda for first reading.
  • Motion to schedule a committee meeting for the buffer yard amendment (Communication 6R) passed 6-0.
  • Ordinance 19-2026 (amending property sales inspection procedures to align with state law) passed 5-1 (Callahan nay).
  • Ordinance 20-2026 (General Fund budget adjustment) passed 6-0.
  • Ordinance 21-2026 (Capital budget for non-utilities) passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 10A (agreement with Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce for marketing, $80,000) passed 6-0.
  • Resolutions 10B–10G (use permit agreements for ArtsQuest events: Soccer Fest, Sabor Latin Festival, Independence Day, One Earth Reggae Fest; and Chamber block party) passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 10H (disposal of public records) passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 10I (agreement with Spillman Farmer for design of 11-unit emergency family shelter at 232-234 West Packer Avenue, $210,000) passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 10J (transfer of retired officer handgun – Captain Nicholas Leckman) passed 5-1 (Quitek nay).
  • Resolution 10K (transfer of retired officer handgun – Sergeant John Casella) passed 5-1 (Quitek nay).
  • Resolution 10L (agreement with Custom Ag Services for water treatment residuals removal, $206,250 per year) passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 10M (modified parking fines for Musikfest 2026, July 31–August 9) passed 6-0.
  • Resolutions 10N–10P (certificates of appropriateness for properties at 523 Main Street, 264 East Wall Street, 108-11 Wesley Street) passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 10Q (certificate of appropriateness for 34 East Third Street) passed 6-0.
  • Resolution 10R (certificate of appropriateness for 330 East Fourth Street) passed 6-0.
  • Administrative order: Mayor reappointed Joy Cohen to the Planning Commission (effective through June 2031); passed 6-0.

Meeting Transcript

You look good. Thank you. You look good. We were gotta dress up for work. Good evening. We're gonna get started with our meeting this evening. I'd like to ask for everyone to please rise for the budget to the flag. Which stands one nation under God. The clerk will call the roll. Mr. Raymond present. Mr. Callahan present. Mr. Cologne. Present. Ms. Daniels. Present. Ms. Queatech. Present. And Ms. Laird. Present. Prior to the consideration of our regular agenda items, city council will be conducting a public hearing tonight to accept public comment concerning proposed zoning text amendments that would modify the definition of hotel in the zoning ordinance so as to include transient guests who are defined as individuals renting lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The amendments would have the effect of excluding short-term rentals in residential districts where hotels are prohibited. Other proposed amendments. In connection with this public hearing, there are two communications. The clerk will now read them. Communication 6A, the June 17th memorandum from Kathy Fletcher, Director of Planning and Zoning, recommending approval of zoning text amendments intended to clarify short-term rental regulations at the limited commercial zoning district under the workforce housing incentive and limit one single family dwelling per residential lot. The city's planning commission voted five to zero on July 11th, 2026 to recommend approval of the uh correction that'd be June 11th, I believe, 2026 to recommend approval of these amendments. And then communication 6B, a June 29th, 2026 correspondent from Jacob Weinberg, a community and regional planner with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Mr. Weinberg states that updating the definition of hotels and transient guests at hotels and treatment centers to include the time frames that constitute a stay, quote, encourages inefficient process that is responsive to regional needs, unquote, by adding clarification. Additionally, the proposals to expand the areas where workforce housing incentives apply and limiting the number of single family detached dwellings to one per lot help to quote provide a wide variety of attainable housing and locations that maximize social and economic opportunities for everyone, unquote. This public hearing is called to order. Good evening, everyone. Um I'm Kathy Fletcher. I'm the director of planning and zoning here at the city, and I'll be walking us through these text amendments to get the public hearing started. Um, but before we get into the amendments, I just wanted to give you a little bit of background of why we're here today. Um periodically, the planning and zoning bureau will put together a package of unrelated text amendments rather than a one-off um use case scenario. Um, so you know, as we're going about our regular business, different cases will show up as we're applying the zoning ordinance, where we can identify areas that can be um improved for clarity or where there might be unintended inconsistencies. So this is an example of when we work with our law bureau to um package together a set of amendments to move through the process all at once. Um, so that's what we're going to be doing today. So just to go over the process, um, what's in front of you today was included as a communication in the city's June 2nd City Council meeting and has since been reviewed by both the city's planning commission as well as the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, as Mr. Miller just um read out to you all. Um, and both of their letters are included in your packets. So to walk through um these amendments themselves. Um sections one through four are related to each other.

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