At the top of the agenda for Bethlehem City Council April 6, Council President Adam Waldron conducted a public hearing to garner additional comments on legislation amending zoning provisions for multi-family dwellings in the Central Business District (CB) and Neighborhood Commercial District (CL) zoning districts.

The changes give CB and CL zoning districts similar rules, especially concerning parking, that now apply to Industrial Redevelopment-Residential (IR-R) zoning districts.

The main thing accomplished by the action is to lessen the requirement that developers in the CB and CL zones get Zoning Board relief for parking spaces.

The Planning Commission, according to a memorandum signed by Director of Planning and Zoning Darlene Heller, supports the change.

The amendment will be voted on at council’s next regular meeting.

Councilperson Grace Crampsie Smith introduced a request that council support House Bill (HB) 988, which would amend Pennsylvania’s 2017 state fireworks law, which she said allows residents to buy “larger and louder fireworks” than were previously available.

“Inappropriate use of fireworks is seriously and negatively affecting the quality of life in our city,” said Smith in the cover letter to her proposed change to the state law.

Approval of Smith’s resolution expresses support for HB 988 in the Pa. House of Representatives and for a similar bill in the Pa. Senate.

In other business, City Council approved mayoral appointments Earl Bethel and Ronald R. Heckman to the Redevelopment Authority. Bethel was also appointed to the Blighted Property Review Committee.

Also appointed and approved were Rosalee Sabo and Shirley Morganelli to the Civil Service Board, and Ronald Heckman to the Redevelopment Authority.

Council passed a bill adopting policies and procedures for the determination of stormwater user fee credits and for appealing stormwater user fee determinations.