Northampton Borough Planning Commission at its Aug. 10 meeting put off a vote on Pennsylvania Venture Capital Inc.’s plans to have one of the town’s iconic structures be transformed into a church-based social hall.

At a July 14 hearing, the borough’s zoning hearing board approved the proposed use of the 1464 Washington Ave. structure, which dates back to 1915. It has been a post office, Sons of Israel Hebrew synagogue, Catholic War Veterans Post 454 and Wonder Kids Day Care Center.

Testimony was taken by the planning commission, but Chairman Nicholas Politi Jr. said the board’s recommendation will await the zoning board’s transcript. Following the planning commission’s recommendation, the matter will go to borough council for its vote.

Abe Atiyeh is chief operating officer of Pennsylvania Venture Capital Inc., which lists its address as 1177 N. Sixth St., home of Whitehall Manor.

The planning commission was told the applicants will not have alcoholic beverages on the premises and, in the future, would not apply for an alcohol license from the state.

Along with having religious events, there also would be birthday parties, similar celebration-type events and perhaps a Super Bowl gathering for approximately 70 people.

There is no off-street parking, except for a handicapped slot at the rear of the two-story building.

Jim Kucharik, who said he has lived in the borough for 34 years, expressed opposition to the proposal.

“My concern is parking,” Kucharik said.

Directing his comment to planning commission members, he said, “I would ask you to put yourselves in my position. Live there. What would you want?”