MINUTES OF ZONING HEARING BOARD MEETING

The zoning hearing board of Palmer Township met on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. in the Palmer Memorial Library, One Weller Place, to hear the following appeals. In attendance were Maura McGuire, zoning board solicitor, Charles Roseberry, board chairman, Cherie Kavanaugh, board members, and Robert Gibbons, alternate filling in for Daniel Caravetta, John A. Embardino, zoning officer, and court reporter Ted Rewak.

06-06 7:30 p.m. Jerry Knafo, Esq., 2740 Nazareth Road, is seeking variances pursuant to sections 190-199 C (3) (d) for setback relief of the expansion of a parking area of a legally existing nonconforming use, and 190-191 A, for two uses on a lot in an MDR zone of the Route 248 Overlay District. This hearing is continued from January 4, 2006.

WITNESSES: Jerry Knafo, Esq., Don Frederickson, P.C., Nancy Jacobson, 2757 Stephens Street, Harry and Linda Quick, 2755 Stephens Street, David Zilker, 2762 Nazareth Road, represented by Gary Asteak, Esq., Suzanne Koch, Knafo employee, Christen Harvey, Esq.

DECISION: A motion was made by Charles Roseberry to grant the expansion of use by a legal nonconforming use, to grant two uses on one lot created by integration of two lots, with the conditions that the applicant must show calculations and meet maximum impervious area coverage of 50% as testified and represented on new site plan exhibit A-12, and place landscaped buffer areas along the northern (right side) and western (rear) property lines. The motion was seconded by Cherie Kavanaugh and passed by a 2-0 vote in favor with Robert Gibbons abstaining as he was not active on the board for the first part of this continued hearing. The applicant agreed to a decision by a two member panel.

06-07 7:40 p.m. Kimberly Dornblaser, 1151 Merion Avenue, is seeking a special exception to conduct a “T” shirt and lettering business as a home occupation pursuant to section 190-38 B. Her residence is located in the Wilden Acres subdivision in an MDR district.

WITNESSES: Kimberly Dornblaser.

DECISION: A motion was made by Cherie Kavanaugh and seconded by Robert Gibbons to grant this special exception with all the provisions of home occupation ordinances to apply. All were in favor by virtue of a 3-0 vote.

06-08 7:50 p.m. Barry Miles, Sr., 201 Paxinosa Road East, Easton, PA, is seeking a variance from section 190-53 A, for relief from lot width at a street right of way, and minimum lot area for certain lots in a proposed development at 326 Berks Street, site of the former Schafer Bologna plant. This property is owned by Susan Potter and is located in an HDR district.

WITNESSES: Phil Hof, Esq., Daniel Gallagher, Dan Gray, engineer with Knight Engineering of Mechanicsville, PA, Barry Miles Sr., Chris Martin, 328 Berks Street.

DECISION: A motion was made by Robert Gibbons and seconded by Cherie Kavanaugh, to deny the lot area and road frontage variances as the applicant does not meet legal hardship requirements. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote.

06-09 8:00 p.m. Corliss Dobrzelecki, 3040 Clayton Street, is seeking a special exception to conduct a massage therapy business as a home occupation pursuant to section 190-38 B. Her residence is located in an MDR zone.

WITNESSES: Corliss and Michael Dobrzelecki.

DECISION: A motion was made by Cherie Kavanaugh and seconded by Robert Gibbons to grant this special exception with all home occupation requirements to be met. The motion was passed by a 3-0 vote.

06-10 8:10 p.m. Ross McLennan, 4 George Court is seeking relief from sections 190-42 C, requiring a 120-foot lot depth, and 190-150 B (2) setting lot size for lots with construction area within slopes greater than 15% pursuant to a proposed subdivision of this property in an MDR zone.

WITNESSES: Ross McLennan, Beverly and Greg Kunkle, 2503 Eldridge Avenue, Becky and Anthony Betz, 2501 Eldridge Avenue.

DECISION: A motion was made by Robert Gibbons and seconded by Cherie Kavanaugh to deny this request and the motion was passed by a 3-0 vote.

Having no further business to discuss, the hearing was adjourned

John A. Embardino

Zoning Officer