Joe Negrao, owner of Alexandria Manor, a popular assisted living facility, had a green light to build another at the corner of Linden Street and Oakland Road. Instead, he’s decided on a swim school for children. It will be located next to Lightbridge, a preschool center he plans to build there.

He owns the entire city block along Linden Street, between Johnston Drive and Macada Road.

“They [swim schools] are few and far in between,” he told Bethlehem’s Zoning Hearing Board at their April 26 meeting. “It’s extremely good for the city and extremely good for the neighborhood, and I say this as a businessman and as a father.”

The swim school would have a smaller footprint, than personal care facility he originally planned, which would have been a three-story 18,300 square-foot building. But his swim school would be only one story and only 8,500 square feet. In addition to being next to his own pre-school, it would be across the street from an early learning center. “A swim school fits perfectly in this area,” he said.

But he will have to wait for approval until May. He needs to advertise that he is seeking a special exception.

He is represented by land use attorney Joe Piperato.

In other business, a divided board granted only partial relief in a signage request at the new Nitschmann MS along Union Boulevard, called NewNitsch. Gus Loupos and Mike Santanasto wanted to allow signs that would identify Nitschmann with Bethlehem Area School District, but were outvoted by Bill Fitzpatrick, Linda Shay Gardner and Jim Schantz.

Principal Peter Mayes was a bit miffed that the board rendered a decision without hearing from him first, a mistake that Chairman Gus Loupos acknowledged. Mayes said NewNitsch, as he called it, “is not just a school, it’s part of the fabric of the community.” He called the decision a missed opportunity to market the school and let people know where it is, just as drivers along Route 378 can see signs marketing B. Braun. “What a great opportunity to let everyone know,” he lamented.