MINUTES OF ZONING HEARINGS

 

The Zoning Hearing Board of Palmer Township met on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 7:30 P.M. in the meeting room of Palmer Memorial Library, One Weller Place, to hear the following appeals. In attendance were Nicholas Noel III, zoning board solicitor, Charles Roseberry, board chairman, board members Cherie Kavanaugh and Daniel Caravetta, alternate R. Margaret Kennedy, John A. Embardino, zoning officer, court recorder, Bonnie Becker, and Madeline Mathias, representing the Morning Call Newspaper.

 

07-23 7:30 p.m. Stephanie Buono, 419 Berks Street, located in an MDR zoning district is seeking a special exception to continue the use of her home as a single family dwelling with an accessory apartment for the use of a relative pursuant to section 190-38 C.

 

WITNESSES: Stephanie Buono, Mack Mitchell, G. Christine Mitchell, co-owners. The applicant requested to amend the appeal to include all owners.

ACTION: A motion to grant this special exception for an accessory apartment for the use of a relative was made by Cherie Kavanaugh with this special exception being personal to all three owners of the premises. Daniel Caravetta seconded the motion, with all in agreement.

 

07-24 7:40 p.m. Eissa Hassanein, 2960 Oregon Street is seeking a special exception to operate a home occupation as a construction business pursuant to section 190-38 B, and seeks interpretation of sections 190-37, permitted uses in MDR zoning district, and 190-13, definition of home occupation general vs. light home occupation. The premises are located in a Medium Density Residential district

 

WITNESSES: Eissa Hassenein; J. Cohen, Esq., Jack and Linda Fournier, 2765 Freemansburg Avenue; Ed Marchak, 2810 Oregon Street; Pedro Valdivia, 2775 Freemansburg Avenue; Patricia Hochwarter, 2779 Freemansburg Avenue.

ACTION: Daniel Caravetta made a motion to grant this special exception as presented for a home occupation, restricting the business to a small dump truck, van and utility trailer as testified. No advertising signs to be allowed on premise or on the vehicles. Cherie Kavanaugh seconded the motion, with all in agreement.

 

 

07-25 7:50 p.m. Ford D. Miller, 3075 Clayton Street, located in an MDR zoning district, seeks a variance from section 190-211 E (15) (a) [2] [i] to construct an accessory structure more than 15 feet in height.

 

WITNESSES: Ford D. Miller

ACTION: A motion by Cherie Kavanaugh to deny the application seeking height restriction relief was seconded by Daniel Caravetta, with all in agreement.

 

117-26 8:00 p.m. Samuel Burgio, owner of 190 S. Greenwood Avenue, is seeking a special exception pursuant to section 190-199 F to add an Italian restaurant in a remaining section of an existing multi-use building. The building is a nonconforming use located in an HDR zoning district.

 

WITNESSES: Samuel Burgio; Salvatore Cardamuro, lessee.

ACTION: Dan Caravetta made a motion to approve this special exception as a restaurant, limiting the seating at 60. No new signage was requested; therefore existing signage area will be used. Cherie Kavanaugh seconded the motion and all were in agreement.

 

07-27 8:10 p.m. Thomas Sherman, 3606 Nicholas Street, is seeking a variance to construct an accessory structure that would exceed building coverage regulations pursuant to section 190-53 B, to the rear of a property located at613 Oakwood Street in an HDR zoning district.

 

WITNESSES: David Colver, representing Mr. Sherman

ACTION: Cherie Kavanaugh made a motion to approve this variance from building coverage restrictions. Daniel Caravetta seconded the motion, and all were in agreement.

 

07-28 8:20 p.m. Barry Fennel, trading as Colonial Builders Inc., is seeking a variance to construct a single family residence on a property located at 1210 Pike Street pursuant to sections 190- 42 A, and 42 C, regulating lot area and depth. The proposed dwelling site is located in a Medium Density Residential zoning district.

 

WITNESSES: Barry Fehnel; Jan Skowyrski, 1204 Pike Street.

ACTION: Daniel Caravetta recused himself from these proceedings and was replaced as a voting board member by R. Margaret Kennedy.

Cherie Kavanaugh made a motion to grant the variances as requested in order to construct a single family home. R. Margaret Kennedy seconded the motion, with all in agreement.

 

07-29 8:30 p.m. James and Tara Knicos, 730 Bangor Road, Nazareth, PA 18064,are seeking a use variance pursuant to sections 190-137 and 190-122 to operate a warehouse at 9 McFadden Road, located in a Planned Office/Industrial Park zoning district.

 

WITNESSES: James Knicos; Gregory C. Noll, civil engineer, 433 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA; Edward J. Andres, Esq., 433 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA.

ACTION: Charles Rose-berry recused himself from these proceedings and was replaced as interim chairman by Daniel Caravetta. R. Margaret Kennedy filled Daniel Caravetta's board seat as a voting member. Daniel Caravetta made a motion to grant the use variance as requested, limiting the use to warehousing use for products pertaining to the on site business, not for use as a general warehouse/distribution center. Cherie Kavanaugh seconded the motion, with all in agreement.

 

07-30 8:40 p.m. Edward and Judith Charney, 373 Springfield Way, located in an MDR zoning district, are seeking relief from section 190-42 F (1) to construe)an all-season room that would not meet rear yard setback requirements.

 

WITNESSES: Edward and Judith Charney.

ACTION: Charles Roseberry resumed his position as chairman, Daniel Caraverta returned to his regular board chair and R. Margaret Kennedy stepped down to resume the position of alternate.

Cherie Kavanaugh made a motion to grant setback relief for an all-season room measuring 12 feet in depth and 17 feet wide. Daniel Caravetta seconded the motion, with all in agreement.

 

Having no further business to discuss, the hearing was adjourned.

 

John A. Embardino

Zoning Officer