What a difference a month makes. On July 28, soft-spoken Jennifer Parry began to tremble when she learned that a group home for the mentally ill was planned right across the street from her home. She and her husband, Jonathan, decided to attend a Zoning Hearing Board meeting after receiving notice that Resources for Human Development (RHD) was seeking a variance from the off-street parking requirements at 943-945 Monocacy Street. Thinking this must have something to do with nearby Moravian College, they were shocked to learn that zoners were being asked to waive off-street parking requirements for a group home housing eight mentally ill people, along with another four day visitors.Program Director Aaik Van Munster did a poor job reassuring her. In evasive testimony, he told Zoner Bill Fitzpatrick that someone convicted of child molestation "would not have a chance." But a half sentence later, he claimed it would be "extremely unlikely."
Parry, who has two toddlers and is pregnant, stated she was "very concerned for my children," but Van Munster insisted these "are free Americans."
Solicitor Mickey Thompson, telling Parry she had an obligation to inform herself, denied a request to continue the matter so other neighbors could come and be heard. That might "prejudice the Applicant," he ruled. But the matter was tabled so Thompson could research the Fair Housing Act.
Expecting the worst, the Parrys returned to the Zoning Hearing Board on August 25. When they left, they could breath a sigh of relief because zoners denied the application unanimously. Bill Fitzpatrick told RHD Attorney Keith Cacciatore that the ZHB decision was on the basis of a self-created hardship with the off-street parking requirements, as well as the use of the building as a lodge. He insisted their denial "was not on the basis of the group home."
The Monocacy Street site is located just one block south of Moravian College and one block west of William Penn Elementary School.
8 comments:
Bernie, it is not William Allen Elementary School, it is Thomas Jefferson.
I also belief the advertisement was deficient for this. It said the use was office and meeting space...nothing about group home or lodging.
Looks like I got it wrong. It is William Penn Elementary. Thanks.
Cool, another Bethlehem story. Any other cities in the Lehigh Valley Bernard? Btw, what's it like having the Dent Campaign's arm so far up your butt? Seriously, you're the ultimate sock puppet. It's not a surprise though, if you live your life like your practiced law it's probably true what I've heard about the Dent Campaign sending you "dirt" from their team of dirt diggers. You are on amazing human being Bernie keep up the good work.
Group homes are by right. How can they be denied?
Dent doesn't need to give Bernie information, Callahan creates his own dirt.
Follow him around the City and you'd be surprised he wasn't the one upside down in the Volvo. Join him and his friends at the Apollo, you’ll see why. His wife has to be a saint.
"Group homes are by right. How can they be denied?"
Because they needed a use variance for the storefront and another for off-street parking.
"Cool, another Bethlehem story. Any other cities in the Lehigh Valley Bernard?"
Two. The City I cover least is the one I'm in most frequently. I've posted about several municipalities and both counties this week.
Ask Bethlehem Township about trying to apply zoning regulations to Group Homes. It cost them a federal civil rights law suit!! Where is Charlie Dent on this FEDERAL issue???? Oh... he says this is a local land use matter.
Didn't John Callahan just say that a mosque at ground zero is a local land use issue? And I agree with him, too. Why on earth would Congressional candidates get involved in a zoning matter?
By the way, the Fair Housing Act has no application to this ruling.
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