EASTON, Pa. – The Easton Zoning Hearing Board approved multiple zoning variances for property developments at its Monday night meeting, including a beer garden for Two Rivers Brewing and an affordable senior housing project. 

Two Rivers Brewing, a popular brew pub in downtown Easton, received approval to create a beer garden space on a vacant lot at 538-540 Northampton Street, directly neighboring the pub. 

“We’re looking to improve a vacant lot that’s been kind of an eyesore for at least 12 years, 14 years, since we bought our building,” said a Two Rivers Brewing representative. 

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The pub requested an off-street parking variance under Section 595-33(B) of the Easton Zoning Ordinance for the beer garden, located in Block Class C, Street Corridor of the Downtown District. 

The board unanimously approved the variance with conditions that outdoor entertainment would cease by 10:00 p.m., and that employee parking arrangements with Dykes Lumber Company, who currently provide five off-street parking spaces, would be maintained. 

The Easton Housing Authority requested variances related to driveway width, building footprint exceeding zoning requirements, and parking configuration  to allow for an affordable housing development primarily designed for seniors. 

The variances include a proposed driveway entrance on 10th Street and Pine Street to exceed 10 feet in width, a proposed building that is greater than 15% of the footprint of a principal structure on adjoining properties, and a proposed building footprint exceeding 12,000 square feet. 

The Easton Housing Authority also requested exemptions from lighting and shade tree requirements to allow for a 22 space parking lot at 40 S. Warren Street, located in the Block Class C of the Westward District.  

The requested variances would allow for the construction of 45 one-bedroom units at 1022 Northampton Street located in the Block Class B, Street Corridor of the Westward District. An existing structure with 18 one-bedroom units would be rehabilitated and an addition for 27 more one-bedroom units would be constructed.

“That redevelopment will involve the preservation of the original Easton home structure, which goes back to the 19th century,” said Ken Herman, the attorney representing the Easton Housing Authority. 

The additional 27 new units would be added in a three-story addition. One-bedroom units would be around 560-600 square feet with one to two people allowed per unit. 

The target population of the affordable housing project is 55+, with a small allowance for younger residents in the case of a grandchild living with a grandparent. 

The development would be managed directly by the Easton Housing Authority. 

The project was approved by the Zoning Hearing Board with a condition to address shade trees during land development. 

“Our intent is to meet that when we go through land development, so we would not need a variance from those requirements,” said engineer for the project Kris Rice. 

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