Bethlehem's Planning Comm'n Streamlines Review Process

At their May 12, 2016 meeting, Bethlehem's Planning Commission adopted new rules designed to streamline the review process during hearings. Instead of hearing a presentation from the Staff, the applicant will first make its presentation so that the public knows exactly what is being proposed. After the presentation and hearing from staff, the public will be invited participate in the review.

In other business, Commissioners voted 4-0 to support plans providing for a three-story medical office building (41' high) for St. Luke's Hospital at 834-43 Eaton Avenue, located at the northeast intersection of 8th and Eaton Avenues.

Bryan Ritter, President of Jena Engineering, told Commissioners that he will demolish the old Bank of America building and two vacant homes and construct a 22,584 sq ft building with 91 parking places. The building design will be similar to what exists on the Anderson campus of St. Luke's Hospital. The facility will house OB-GYN, pediatrics and other medical arts offices.

The St. Luke's Center for Urology is across the street at the northwest corner of 8th and Eaton Avenues.

Updated 9:10 am: Below is the procedure, which will be explained at the beginning of every meeting:

"The applicant will have a chance to present their project to the Commission as their agenda item is called. Following that presentation, City staff will provide an overview of the City’s comments and a recommendation. Then the Planning Commission members will have an opportunity to direct questions related to the project to both the applicant and City staff.

"Following Planning Commission discussion, interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on or ask questions related to the project. All interested parties will be asked to give their name and address for the record. They shall also sign their name, address and email address on the sign-in sheet provided. [Name and address is a requirement of the Sunshine Act].

"We will adhere to a 5 minute time limit for each member of the public and each person will have one opportunity to speak. We ask that all comments be related to the project proposal under review and that all comments be related to the land use issues of the project. When there are a significant number of interested parties, we request that members of the public be concise in their testimony and avoid repeating previously made assertions.

"After all interested parties have had an opportunity to speak, the Planning Commission members will have a final opportunity to deliberate on the project. The review of the Planning Commission is based on the provisions of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, the Zoning Ordinance and other municipal ordinances, as applicable. Decisions will be based on these applicable ordinances, the recommendations of the City’s professional staff, pertinent public comment and the public good."

I did not think of this yesterday, but would add a provision that would prevent the same person from addressing the Commission multiple times on the same subject.