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Planning, Zoning, and Permits

Please click on department’s Homepage or other links to find more information on the departments or other features.


Comprehensive Plan

Bethlehem's new comprehensive plan charts for how to develop and preserve the City over the next decade. The comprehensive plan is not an ordinance, like the zoning ordinance. But it provides the rationale for revising the City's zoning ordinance and for updating other City regulations that affect future growth. Read the full Comprehensive Plan.


The City Livable - Presented by Jeff Speck

Jeff Speck is a nationally known city planner who works with civic leaders to make their communities more livable. Mr. Speck spent 10 years as director of town planning at Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, where he helped the firm solidify its status as the leading practitioner of New Urbanism, a global effort that seeks alternatives to suburban sprawl and urban disinvestment. Mr. Speck presented his findings on Downtown Bethlehem’s livability and walkability that he observed during his weeklong visit in early March. The presentation took place at Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center on May 13, 2009. View the entire presentation here


"Southside Vision 2012" Southside Residential Master Plan 2002 - 2012

South side Vision 2012 - Residential Master Plan"The Southside Vision 2012 plan is funded through the Community Action Development Corporation of Bethlehem (CADC-B) and their parent organization, the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (CACLV), by a grant from Allfirst Bank with tax credits from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The City partnered with CADC-B to complete the plan to develop a strategy for addressing some of the issues and opportunities in the neighborhoods on the south side. The plan was completed in 2002 and a steering committee has been developed to facilitate with the implementation of the recommendations of the plan."

Click here To Download (Adobe PDF File 4091 KB)


Census Report for City of Bethlehem

The Census Report for the City of Bethlehem contains commonly requested data such as population, housing and income characteristics. Data from 1990 and 2000 were compared wherever possible to reveal trends in the City. The information is broken down by the 18 census tracts, Lehigh and Northampton counties, and four distinct neighborhoods that make up the City of Bethlehem. Comparisons to the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) comprising Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton were completed to compare the City of Bethlehem with the region. For complete census information go to, http://factfinder.census.gov.

Click Here to Download (Adobe PDF File 400 KB)


Five Points Gateway Enhancement Study

The Five Points Gateway Enhancement Study was completed in 2004 and addresses parking, traffic, and pedestrian safety issued in the Five Points area.

Click Here to Download (Adobe PDF File 2.6 MB)


Elm Street Plan For North and West Side Neighborhoods Webpage

Pennsylvania’s Elm Street Program assists municipalities in rejuvenating residential and mixed-use areas adjacent to their central business district. Pennsylvania based its Elm Street Program on its successful Main Street Program, which targets downtown commercial districts. Central commercial areas and the neighborhoods that surround them are linked. Vibrant neighborhoods provide customers and a labor pool for downtown businesses. In turn, a healthy downtown improves the quality of life in nearby neighborhoods. The idea behind the Elm Street Program is that communities should plan the future of these two types of areas together, instead of treating them like separate entities.


 

 
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South Side Bethlehem Master Plan

Highlighting South Bethlehem - An Architectural Lighting Plan

Bethlehem Census Report


South Bethlehem Greenway

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