I never imagined that as a boy growing up in Lehigh Parkway, that 60 years later, I would have to spend my time defending the parks. Especially defending them against the Park Director and The Trexler Trust. Weitzel thanked the Trexler Trust in his departing statement last week. He left town for a new job, with his resume enhanced by all the plans we paid for. Pardon me, but I have been saying for years that he was building a resume at the expense of our treasured park system. His Water Park plan was so over the top, that even City Council asserted themselves, an exercise they hadn't performed in years. Supposedly, Trexler Trust, still subservient to Pawlowski, was prepared to fund this absurdity. How sad that Fountain Park Pool has been closed for several years over $160,000 worth of repairs, when we just spend $80,000 for the
Swimming Toward The Future Presentation. That study claims that it will cost $4 million to renovate our existing pool system. I believe that they exaggerated that figure, to justify their proposed $11 million Water Kingdom. I have learned that Allentown is conducting a nationwide search for a new park director. We would be better served by someone already working in, and familiar with our park system. We had enough grandiose plans and projects in the last five years to last us for many decades to come.
above reprinted from May of 2012
ADDENDUM MAY 1, 2024:We had at least four park directors since I wrote the post above, and twelve years later I'm still defending the traditional park system. Needless to say the Trust isn't still enamored about Pawlowski, but they still don't push very hard for things that Harry Trexler valued. If Harry saw the stagnant pond in front of his summer house in Trexler Park, he wouldn't be a happy benefactor. Too much flow is obviously going around the pond, instead of through it, as intended. Likewise the western pond at the rose garden needs attention. Although my unsolicited advice receives no appreciation from the powers that be, they do read it, and more so, they know the public shares my viewpoint.
Off topic--but don't know how to email you directly. Do you or anyone have opinions, criticisms or praise for the new proposed Allentown Zoning Ordinance. It has been available on the City website along with new map for about two weeks now.
ReplyDeleteThe new Zoning Ordinance doesn't radically modify the existing ordinance. To me, the greatest changes have to do with the emphasis on providing alternatives to generate more dwelling units and (hopefully) more affordable housing opportunities. For example, some property owners will now have the opportunity to establish an accessory dwelling unit within their home or on their property. Another example would be providing opportunities for more "mixed use" type buildings along major arterial streets like Hanover Avenue and Union Boulevard to encourage dwellings above commercial uses.
Delete8:07 -
ReplyDeleteThanks for making us aware of this.
Not sure about what MM thinks, but I would say the city has done a terrible job of making residents aware of the changes.
In addition, the map I saw (using my phone) Isn’t detailed enough for people to see what zone their properties/neighborhoods will be in, so it is difficult to review as far as impact.
Since this is apparently a major revision to the current ordinance, the city should send notice to every property owner about how their property will be zoned and any changes as to what is allowed on their property and in their neighborhoods.
This has the potential to devalue every property and neighborhood in the city, so it shouldn’t be rushed without proper notice and input.
I haven't studied the new proposal/plan. I have never been a fan of the city planning and/or zoning board. Too often politics and connections prevail. Input on this "off topic" is welcome, and will be hosted.
DeleteHere ya go.... https://www.allentownpa.gov/Planning-and-Zoning/ZONEAllentown
DeleteRead it and maybe weep... PITA to navigate. Could they make the maps any harder to read???
I think sending notices would be a big waste of money and most people wouldn't really be interested. I was able to easily find out the items cited above in a simple website review of the proposed ordinance. I couldn't disagree more with your allegation of property devaluation. Overall, I'm pretty agreeable with the new regulations, they seem appropriate for a large City like Allentown. You should review the draft and then attend an upcoming public meeting to ask informed questions, its all on the City's website.
DeleteIn every instance I can property values will either increase or be unaffected by the updated zoning ordinance. A lot of it is common sense zoning that should have been implemented 20-30 years ago.
DeleteThis is the first I've heard of the proposed zoning changes as well. I went looking for it and found the link with some difficulty. Using a computer, you can zoom in and look at a specific property, but the old map/new map comparison is difficult because the colors don't match. The legend is also not obvious (icon at the upper right of both maps). Supporting documents are under the "ZONEAllentown" section on the zoning page. Fortunately (for me), the West End neighborhoods are generally unaffected, however there are some "corridor" areas that may catch folks unaware.
ReplyDeletehttps://allentownpa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Compare/index.html?appid=12c452d33f164faebfc4e57e00ba0ecc
I am the original "make everyone aware" poster. I have digested it as best I could and my conclusions are that, yes indeed is intended to create more flexibility, but I am always concerned with unintended consequences.
DeleteThis is indeed a MAJOR change. We like almost everyone in the Commonwealth know about the prevailing Allentown zoning first approved in the 1940's and changed several times since. However, the zoning that we all know and are familiar with is known as "district" zoning and this is in a different category known as "form" zoning.
My concern lies in the fact that while the zoning map has a great number of additional "mixed use" zonings it retains, albeit renames all the others and there is no diminution of the number of zones. If "form" and "flexibility" is to be the goal, then to my way of thinking the number of districts should be reduced and/or consolidated? Yet this is not so.
The administration of the new zoning appears to be the same to me, but maybe some sharper reviewers might pick something out I missed?
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3:26 - You’ve got to be kidding! The worst problem areas of the city are the high density/low income areas, and you’re going to make the city better with more high density/low income (affordable housing) areas?
ReplyDeleteIt’s difficult as it is to park in some areas of the city, and that’s going to be solved by adding more people by allowing “accessory dwelling units”? You currently have noise, trash and other quality of life issues caused by too many people on top of each other, and you’re going to solve that by putting more people on top of each other? You can’t be serious!
Please stop with the need for more “affordable housing”. Allentown already had the highest percentage of people living at or below the poverty level in Lehigh County and probably the Lehigh Valley. That means we have too much “affordable housing”. It’s not sustainable.
This plan is taking us in the wrong direction. Instead of creating tomorrow’s slums and ghettos, the city should be providing incentives for people to deconvert apartment buildings and working to acquire and demolish residential units on interior blocks.