Parking Study: Quantity Not a Problem in Hellertown

Hellertown Borough Council discussed the findings of a new parking study at Monday night’s meeting.

The study found no overall shortage along Hellertown’s Main Street corridor, but that doesn’t mean drivers can always find a convenient space near their destination. Borough Engineer Bryan Smith presented the findings to council.

Parking Study Findings

Smith said the study identified approximately 2,490 off-street spaces, roughly matching a planning estimate of 2,500 spaces based on current zoning requirements. Those figures describe the corridor overall, not whether every specific business has enough accessible parking.

Some properties have substantial parking capacity, while many older buildings and smaller Main Street businesses have little or no off-street parking. Much of the supply is privately controlled, so an empty space isn’t necessarily available to another business’s customers.

“In conclusion, the study finds that the Hellertown parking system is generally meeting the overall demands of it. The challenge is not a lack of parking spaces across the corridor, but rather how those spaces are distributed, identified and utilized,” Smith said.

The study recommends improving access to existing parking before expanding the supply.

The study included parking counts on July 23 and July 25 and a public questionnaire that drew 258 responses. For example, during the Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m. count, Front Street parking was about 83 percent occupied and Main Street about 75 percent, compared with roughly 42 percent for nearby off-street parking in the area surveyed.

Smith recommended voluntary shared-parking agreements, clearer signs directing drivers to lots, better lighting and pedestrian access, and continued monitoring. He also discussed winter strategies to address spaces lost to snow storage.

Council Vice President Larry O’Donnell suggested working with businesses on standardized signs or window decals directing customers to parking behind their buildings. Smith said signs should also identify which businesses those spaces serve.

Civil Service Solicitor Search Approved 

Council added an item to the agenda and authorized advertising for a new Civil Service Commission solicitor after learning the commission’s attorney had resigned that morning. Council President Lynley Solt said officials wanted applications quickly to address outstanding business before year’s end.

Trail Connection Targeted for Summer 2027 

Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft said funding was in place for the Greenway connection to the Saucon Rail Trail and that design and engineering work continued. She gave summer 2027 as the anticipated timeframe for work to be undertaken rather than a firm opening date.

Rental Inspections Set for January 

Zoning and Codes Officer Terri Fadem said notices have gone out for more than 190 rental units scheduled for inspection in January. Owners whose assigned dates or times don’t work can contact her to reschedule the inspections.

Fadem said she was still pursuing compliance at five units from the 2025 inspection cycle and six from 2026. She reported 414 current rental permits boroughwide.

Haunted Corn Walk Approved, Mindler Joins Planning Commission

In other business:

• Council approved Daniel Wilt’s proposal for a Haunted Corn Walk near the pavilion at Dimmick Park on Oct. 31. Hartranft said Wilt had met with borough staff, supplied a certificate of insurance and agreed to clean up afterward. O’Donnell described the event as family-friendly, rather than an attraction with people jumping out to scare visitors. The flyer lists free admission for all ages from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Monica Mindler was officially sworn in to a planning commission seat by Solt.

The next Hellertown Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall. Meetings are also livestreamed on YouTube.