Rainbow Academy Has Eye on Bethlehem

Al Bernotas

Rainbow Academy, a pre-school center with thirteen New Jersey locations, has its eye on Bethlehem. On March 8, the Planning Commission reviewed a 17,264 sq ft preschool proposal, complete with indoor playground and mini-gym. It will be located on a 2.64 acre lot at the southwest corner of Linden Street and Johnston Drive, directly across the street from Elias Farmers Market. But before that happens, zoners will have to give their stamp of approval to an early learning facility in an area that is zoned rural residential. That hearing is slated for March.

Owned by the Negrao family, the property was originally intended as a senior living center. But the Negraos, who already own and operate three Alexandria Manor facilities in Nazareth and Bath, claim the assisted-living market in saturated.

Planner Rob Melosky raised some safety concerns about the driving aisle leading to the school, and Johnston Drive resident Al Bernotas worried about "more congestion" at "a very busy corner."

A formal plan will be presented if zoning approval is obtained.

In other business, Bethlehem planners unanimously approved a 14-home condominium at a vacant, 1.92 acre lot located at 1559 Kelchner Road, near Notre Dame elementary school. As a condition of approval, consulting engineers Robert E. Blue will construct a 750' storm sewer extension to a drainage ditch along Route 378. Along the way, the storm sewer will collect ponding water from the intersection of Pinehurst Drive and Kelchner Road, which has plagued residents in that area.

Dave and Norma Mouille, who live on Kelchner Road, worried about increased traffic on a secondary road, and told planners that traffic in that area gets very heavy when school lets out. But City traffic engineers countered that that the levels of traffic at that site require no further study.

Another West Bethlehem plan, for Conradical Clever Closets at vacant 1117 West Broad Street, was also approved. In addition to the commercial space on the first floor, there will be two apartments on the second floor. "This mixed-use concept is something we really want on West Broad Street," Assistant Planning Director Tracy Samuelson told planners.

Finally, planners gave a green light for the construction of a 33,000 sq ft office and manufacturing facility in another vacant lot located in LVIP I at 2127 Avenue C. Gardner Cryogenics, a subsidiary of Air Products, will manufacture the tanks used by Air Products trucks, "and they'll do it right here in the City of Bethlehem," said engineer Jeff Ott.