July 20, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Bethlehem City Council will review a proposed zoning amendment focusing on data centers at its meeting Tuesday.
The Christmas City, like other towns across the Lehigh Valley and the nation, are rushing to update rules for data centers, which have drawn public opposition based on concerns about noise, energy use and water consumption.
Here’s a summary of the Bethlehem proposal, from a memo to City Council from Cathy Fletcher, director of planning and zoning:
The proposed ordinance includes:
Establishing a definition of “Data Center”
Permitting Data Centers as a Special Exception within the Industrial (IN) Zoning District, allowing for case-by-case review by the Zoning Hearing Board
Requiring applicants to submit all plans, studies, evaluations, and mitigation strategies at time of application
Creating site design standards, including a minimum 200-foot setback from any right-of way or lot located outside the IN district, and a minimum 1000-foot setback from any lot located in a residential zoning district or any lot with an existing sensitive receptor (i.e., existing dwelling (including institutional uses with a residential component), school, child or adult day care, park, hospital, or community recreation center)
Establishing maximum building height, minimum yard, minimum buffer yard, and maximum building coverage requirements
Based on Tuesday’s agenda, the ordinance is not ready for a vote.
Council will also consider uses of about $1.76 million in federal grants, and vote on a request from the administration of Mayor J. William Reynolds to apply for $1.5 million in state grants that would go toward local organizations that help homeless people.
Council will also consider routine requests for permits for ArtsQuest’s Countryfest and the Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center’s 2026 LV Pride event.
Bethlehem City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, in Town Hall.
Here’s a link to the agenda. Agendas sometimes change. Below, a cut-and-paste version.
VIDEO NOTE: This meeting is video recorded and can be viewed on the City’s website at www.bethlehem-pa.gov
For the video, go to: City Government/ City Council Meetings/ View Live Stream Council Meeting.
Please turn off mobile phones during the meeting.
BETHLEHEM CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2026 – 7:00 PM
TOWN HALL – 10 EAST CHURCH STREET – BETHLEHEM, PA
Pledge to the Flag
- Roll Call
PUBLIC HEARING
Prior to the consideration of the regular Agenda items, City Council will conduct a Public Hearing as follows:
Public Hearing (01 PH) – Memo – 2026 CDBG/HOME Proposed Allocations; HUD Submissions
Public Hearing to allow DCED staff to present the City’s federal 2026 Community Development Block Grant and
HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding recommendations to Council. Following the hearing, DCED will
submit a proposed resolution for Council’s consideration that would approve the funding recommendations and
submission of the City’s 2026 Annual Action Plan to HUD.
- Approval of Minutes – July 7, 2026
- Public Comment
3 A. On subjects not being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit
3 B. On Ordinances and Resolutions being voted on this evening – 5 Minute Time Limit
- Old Business
4 A. Old Business – Members of Council
4 B. Tabled Items
4 C. Unfinished Business
- New Business
5 A. Rescheduled Time for August 4, 2026 City Council Meeting
- Communications
6 A. DCED Grants Administrator – Memo – Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) on behalf of Lehigh Valley
homeless service providers
6 B. DCED Grants Administrator – Memo – Watershed Restoration and Protection Program Grant –
PA DCED
6 C. DCED Grants Administrator – Memo – Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant – PA DCED
6 D. Director of Planning and Zoning – Memo – Zoning Text Amendment – Data Centers
6 E. City Solicitor – Use Permit Agreement – ArtsQuest – Countryfest
6 F. City Solicitor – Use Permit Agreement – Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center – 2026 LV
Pride
- Reports
7 A. President of Council
7 B. Mayor
7 B1. Administrative Order – Ian Panyko – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
7 B2. Administrative Order – Jill Sperandio – Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission
- Ordinances for Final Passage
8 A. Bill 19-2026 – Amendments to Article 1731 and Article 119 – Revisions
8 B. Bill 20-2026 – Budget Adjustments – 1 of 2 South Bethlehem Greenway (S New-W Third) –
General Fund
8 C. Bill 21-2026 – Budget Adjustments – 2 of 2 South Bethlehem Greenway (S New-W Third) –
Non-Utility Capital Fund - New Ordinances
9 A. Bill 22-2026 – Amendments to Zoning Ordinance
9 B. Bill 23-2026 – Amend Capital Budget for Non-Utilities – Green Light-Go Program
- Resolutions
10 A. Approve Resolution – 2026 CDBG/HOME – Annual Action Plan-CP – PY2026
10 B. Approve Resolution – Transfer of Funds – General Fund – Green Light-Go Program
10 C. Approve Resolution – Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) on behalf of Lehigh Valley homeless
services providers
10 D. Approve Resolution – Watershed Restoration and Protection Program Grant – PA DCED
10 E. Approve Resolution – Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant – PA DCED
10 F. Approve Use Permit Agreement – ArtsQuest – Countryfest
10 G. Approve Use Permit Agreement – Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center – 2026 LV Pride
10 H. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – 443 Center Street – HARB
10 I. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – 446 Main Street – HARB
10 J. Approve Resolution – Certificate of Appropriateness – 55 East Church Street – HARB
- Adjournment
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 