TONIGHT, 8:20PM, CITY HALL, 5TH FLOOR:
ZONING BOARD MEETING ON JAIL EXPANSION IN THE WEST WARD
For anyone who can make time tonight, this is a critical meeting and a great one to check out for those of you who have not attended a meeting at City Hall before. I will be in NY tonight unfortunately, but I hope that a good number of us can show up tonight and report back to the group. Most of you know Terrence and Dennis from our group by now, and they are both great people to go to if you have any questions at the meeting. Please show up and be counted, even if you don't feel comfortable speaking. For those who do feel comfortable speaking, speak up and let City Council know that the West Ward is a new political voice that cannot be ignored any more.
Please post your comments to this post tonight or tomorrow to get the discussion rolling and let the people who missed it know what happened!
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Zoning Hearing Board Wrap-up from Dennis R. Lieb (ad hoc reporter for the West Ward)...items important to the West Ward/Downtown community.
Issue #1: Request for variance from parking regulations (19 required off-street spaces) for Brickhouse Tavern in 1400 block of Butler Street - This variance was approved.
Becky Bradley from Planning Dept. was highly dissappointed about decision because the Planning Commission had rejected the proposal (expansion of the restaurant by 20 seats prompting the requirement for additional parking). She feels the ZHB is ignoring the new zoning ordinance's intent while the PC is trying to adhere to it.
I was in favor of the decision since it promotes neighborhood-based commercial endeavors and expands an existing business. Looking at the bright side, the owner of the business claims that it is a neigborhood place that draws most of it's customers on foot.
As I told Becky after the meeting, if this is correct then there shouldn't be a concern about some "theoretical" parking load that probably won't be generated.
I reminded her that parking requirements are promulgated from the ordinance, and the ordinance requirements are generated from the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) Parking Manual, and the ITE Manual's data are generated by flawed and often completely arbitrary parking research (in other words, BS). I hope that comforted her somewhat.
Issue #2: Request for variance from setbacks, impermeable surface coverage area and parking requirements (two off-street spaces)by Richard Liebgold (one of WW's canton participants)for a building on Sassafras Street...Conversion of a former warehouse (now a prohibited use) into a single family artists' loft space (permited use).
The neighbors were out in force and were killing him on the proposal due to parking shortages in the block and the idea that it might be rented out in the future. (the rental argument is irrelevant to the case). There was considerable venom in the comments and much grumbling from the audience.
I spoke in favor of the variances on the following grounds: parking shortages are the result of too many cars generated by too many multi-units in what were previously single family homes; too many existing garages are being used for things other than cars (illegal contractor storage, etc); the fact the he is turning an illegal use into a permitted one; the fact that, in any case, renting out a residential home is a permitted use; and finally, the "musical chair" defense - being that it is unfair to deny someone the permitted use of their property simply because they are the last one into the neighborhood...everyone else having already claimed the right to park on the street for free.
Mr. Liebgold's attorney, Danny Cohen used my comments in his final summation. The variances were approved.
Issue #3: Billboard at Frank and Dot's Beer Depot on Bushkill Street downtown. This is NOT a permitted use and Adams Outdoor Advertising is asking for a special exception to erect a 47' high billboard with two faces, each 48' by 14'.
There was cosiderable turn out for this issue but applicant asked for and was granted a continuance until December. There attorneys are playing games with this one and we will have to spend the next month preparing for that meeting. Becky is concerned and Main Street reps, downtown residents and anyone concerned with the historic nature of Easton needs to be ready to go to the wall against this one.
Issue #4: Ferry Street expansion of Juvenile Justice Facility. The county requested and was granted a continuance due to legal issues surrounding the application. I believe that the legal issue in question stems from Earl and Tim's formal protest regarding the Sandt's Court access/church parking lot issue next to their property. Stay tuned for details.
PS...DO NOT forget that this is OUR town and we should be running it OUR way. If we get bad results it's because we're not paying enough attention.
Vigilance..Diligence..Perseverance
DRL
Thanks, Dennis! We've got to stay on this one.
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