Bethlehem Planning Commission Hears Proposal for Single-Family Homes South of Route 22 That Raises Traffic Issues, Is Near Monocacy Creek

Aug. 14, 2025

— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs

Bethlehem’s Planning Commission heard proposals for a total of 44 or so new housing units in the city on Thursday. That doesn’t count about 49 more houses just over the Bethlehem Township border.

The project that would be the most visible is proposed for 23 acres south of Route 22 and east of Township Line Road. The Bethlehem section of the development would have 19 single-family homes, and to the east in Bethlehem Township, 49 more houses. Final numbers may be adjusted.

Issues including traffic and water runoff were raised by the Planning Commission and residents.

Access would be from Township Line Road, which is already busy with Amazon and other delivery trucks and gets tight as it approaches Linden Street / Nazareth Pike. Questions were also raised about adding traffic to Santee Mill and Altonah roads, and how drivers would make left turns onto Linden Street.

The width of Township Line Road was raised at Thursday’s meeting. Here’s a video link. Another concern was a nearby tributary of Monocacy Creek, a trout stream. The developers said they have taken water runoff into account.

The property is known as the Gold Tract. Right now it’s open space. The homes in the current plan would be 1,750 to 2,400 square feet, according to plans. Plans were presented by Hanover Engineering.

Scott Culpepper, who lives near the proposed development, was one of the residents who spoke at the meeting. He said 193 bird species have been identified in the area of Monocacy Creek.

The Gold Tract is near Housenick Memorial Park and the Archibald Johnston Conservation Area, home to many species of wildlife.

The commission also heard plans for 18 units at 1625 Glenwood St. in a three-story building, and three twin homes on lots on 1800 and 1804 Calypso Ave.

Here’s the agenda from Thursday’s meeting. It has links to documents about each proposal.

The City of Bethlehem Planning Commission looks at reviews and gives feedback. It is an advisory committee, but is important in setting guidelines for development.

No final decisions were made at Thursday’s meeting.

A big project in South Bethlehem that was on the agenda was dropped. That plan is for a seven-story building at 906 Evans St. in south Bethlehem with 91 parking spaces on the first two floors and 96 units on floors three through seven. The plan shows fewer parking spaces than residences.

The plan was withdrawn for Thursday but that does mean the project has been dropped.

The next Planning Commission meeting will be Sept. 11.