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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Bethlehem Zoners Approve Green Building by LU Students

A vacant Bethlehem city-owned lot at 532 Broadway. A LU architecture professor, joined by four undergrads. Plans to construct a green home on that vacant lot, and then transfer it to Habitat for Humanity for low-income housing. What's not to like?

Zoners unanimously approved plans for just such a green home, designed by LU students, at last night's monthly meeting. "We really want to build this," said undergrad Alex Morley, anxiously waiting for a green light.

Bethlehem purchased this vacant lot for $1,200 at a tax sale in 1996. Professor Christine Ussler assured zoners that after building a green home on this small lot, it will be made available for low-income housing through the Habitat for Humanity. You can see some of the architectural drawings here.

None of these architectural students is named George Costanza.

Zoners also unanimously approved wall and free-standing signs at Broughal Middle School, located on West Morton Street. Although Zoners Ken Kraft and Glenn Taggart were dubious about the need for the free-standing signs, Attorney Terry Faul noted that Broughal consumes nearly an entire city block. It is a four-story, 186,000 square foot building, and the proposed signage identifies the auditorium, gym and family center. School District Engineer Arif Fazil told zoners his signs are "more discrete than other signs in the area."

Jack Matys, who has operated Bethlehem Auto Sales on West Union Boulevard for the past 20 years, received a go-ahead to operate a combination auto sales and repair business at 541 Pembroke Road. Zoners restricted both hours of operation and the use of the repair shop for body work or painting.
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 27, 2010 at 12:58 PM

    Pretty short-sighted and self-serving putting low-income housing in a low-income area. Just my two cents.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gustavo MuchachoJune 6, 2010 at 4:14 PM

    I prefer blue buildings myself. Green isn't that pleasant on my eyes.

    ReplyDelete

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