Straight Talk on Housing and Affordability in Bethlehem; I Read 92-Page Documents So You Don’t Have To

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Lots of people want “affordable” housing while quite a few people who already own homes don’t want more congestion in the City of Bethlehem.

There’s lots of talk about housing from Mayor J. William Reynolds and City Council, but the reality is, the city is limited by the state Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).

Bethlehem came out in 2023 with “Opening Doors,” a 92-page housing study. Some people actually read it. I did and found this gem on Page 86 that should have been on Page 1. Read this carefully, it’s long but blunt:

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At the state level, cities like Bethlehem do not have access to municipal affordable housing tools that many other cities of similar size do. With a population of roughly 76,000, Bethlehem is classified as a third-class city and is therefore restricted to provisions outlined in the state’s Municipalities Planning Code. As a result, Bethlehem cannot enact various affordable housing tools that have proved to be effective in other areas. For one, the City cannot enact an inclusionary zoning ordinance, which requires new development to set aside a percentage of new units for low- and moderate-income households or contribute financially to an affordable housing funding pool. The City also cannot establish any rent stabilization policies or require landlords to participate in mediation proceedings before evicting tenants. Although these recommendations came forth from the community engagement process and
from Housing Committee members, the City cannot implement them.

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There are a lot of “cannots” in that paragraph. Four of them, with the last one saying that no matter what “brainstorming” went on in committees, the city “cannot” do it.

So, the above says: no rent control; no zoning that requires a percentage of units be deemed affordable, and no city interference in evictions. It’s all sitting in plain sight, but all the way on page 86. I read these things so you don’t have to.

After reading it, I asked a city official, well, what was the point? The official responded, “We will work with our state partners” on the issue.

Don’t hold your breath on our “state partners” getting anything done.

So no matter where you stand on the issue, start with reality. The city “cannot” do much. It can talk much, but not do much. It can change zoning codes, but that’s a long process that draws opposition because people buy a home with the expectation that they won’t have a Wendy’s drive-through built next door.

I bought my home after checking the zoning map. I suggest everybody do the same before buying.

Meanwhile, at Thursday’s City Council meeting, Council member Bryan Callahan asked Mayor Reynolds about the proposed 1,085 apartments at the former Martin Tower site.

The mayor said the city is hoping they move forward. It’s a cliche we’ve all heard, “Hope is not a strategy.” That’s not Reynolds’ fault, it’s reality.

Meanwhile, the city is helping the developer of the two medical-office buildings at the site get a $9 million state grant. Jefferson Health of Philadelphia, which operates locally under the Lehigh Valley Health Network brand, will occupy those buildings later this year.

So state grants for medical offices, while plans for apartments sit. That’s reality, folks.