Aug. 19, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
Plans for “East Boulevard Crossing,” a three-story apartment building surrounded by one-story houses, went before the Bethlehem Planning Commission in July.
At that meeting, developer Domenic Villani agreed to make changes and bring the proposal back, but as of noon today it’s not on the agenda for the Aug. 25 meeting of the commission.
That doesn’t mean much. The agenda for the Tuesday meeting could change, or the plan could be discussed at a later meeting. Check the city website listing of Community Meetings regularly in case this does pop up soon.
The original plan was for 16 units and 24 parking spaces. At the July meeting, Villani said the development could be reduced to 14 units and 21 parking spaces (1.5 per unit). The plan also noted nearby street parking. The property is at the intersection of East and North boulevards, a few blocks from Wawa on Easton Avenue.
The Villani property is a single-family home on a double lot, and zoning allows what he wants to build.
Neighbors are not happy. One spoke Tuesday at Bethlehem City Council’s meeting against the project.
Members of the Planning Commission were skeptical of elements of the plan, with Chairman Robert Melosky noting “the mass of the building in general” as a problem.
“The lot is a large lot but you’re putting a very large building on it compared to the buildings surrounding (it),” Commissioner member Joy Cohen said.
The Planning Commission and the Planning Department are doing their job but they can’t prevent an allowed development.
Planning isn’t the problem here. The commission asked the right questions. The department is doing its job.
What really matters, though, is the zoning that allows the development.
Keep checking that website.
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 