1 00:04:24,800 --> 00:04:29,479 If I could have your attention, please for a moment. 2 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:38,160 » I just want to go over the hearings for tonight. First hearing is going to be 28 3 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:44,880 Locust Street. Second hearing will be 260 West Milton. 4 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:52,479 Third hearing will be 34 South 13th. Fourth hearing will be 329 Folk Street. 5 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:59,680 Fifth hearing is 1100 Bushkill Drive. Sixth hearing is 1111 to13 Bushkill 6 00:04:56,240 --> 00:05:03,520 Drive. Last hearing will be 36 South 12th Street. And we'll be starting 7 00:05:01,280 --> 00:05:07,160 momentarily soon as the rain stops. 8 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:07,600 You ready? >> Yeah. Go for it. 9 00:06:05,759 --> 00:06:10,319 » Are you ready? >> Ready. 10 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:15,120 » All right. I'll open the first hearing. The secretary be the purpose, please. 11 00:06:13,199 --> 00:06:17,759 » All right. Applications hereby made for a public hearing before the East and 12 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:22,880 Zoning Hearing Board for a property known as 28 South Locust Street Zoning 13 00:06:20,479 --> 00:06:30,720 District, West Ward, block class C. Variance is as follows. 59515D 14 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:37,759 proposed rear yard setback of 12 feet 10.5 in required as a minimum rear yard 15 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:42,880 setback of 25 ft 59533 J3 proposed north and south off- 16 00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:48,240 streetet parking spaces are less than the 4ft sideyard setback required off- 17 00:06:46,639 --> 00:06:52,639 streetet parking spaces shall be at least 4 feet from any side lot line. The 18 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:57,039 above action is request to proceed with a proposal to build a two-unit duplex on 19 00:06:54,960 --> 00:07:00,960 the existing lot. The appellent is Michael Brett at 123 20 00:06:59,759 --> 00:07:05,599 South Third Street, Eastern Pennsylvania. Uh the owner is the 21 00:07:03,199 --> 00:07:10,800 Redevelopment Authority of East Pennsylvania, 123 South Third Street. Um 22 00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:13,520 50 adjacent property owners were notified and it was published in the 23 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:16,800 press. >> Thank you, sir. See the applicant is 24 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:22,080 present. Is there anybody else here in the audience that wants to speak at this 25 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,080 hearing? 26 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:28,360 All right, I'm going to have you guys sworn in now. Do you want to stand up, 27 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,360 please? 28 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:39,520 » This just for 28. >> This is just for 28 Locust Street. 29 00:07:38,319 --> 00:07:43,560 » You're here for another hearing. You don't need to be sworn right now. 30 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:52,970 I do. [clears throat] 31 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:58,800 » Yep. >> Yeah, the rain's super loud. 32 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,280 » Y >> Mr. Tman, with this property posted? 33 00:08:00,479 --> 00:08:05,680 » Yes, it was. >> Okay. You want to start, sir? 34 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:09,599 » Yep. Thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman. Uh, my name is Will Edinger. I'm the solicitor 35 00:08:07,599 --> 00:08:16,800 for the redevelopment authority. Last name spelled OE T. I n ger. We are here 36 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:21,840 on 28 South Locust Street for variances related to rear yard setback and uh 37 00:08:19,759 --> 00:08:29,520 parking relative to the sideyard setbacks. Um just some history on this 38 00:08:25,520 --> 00:08:33,839 property. It was formerly a a blighted property which was acquired by the 39 00:08:31,759 --> 00:08:39,680 redevelopment authority through eminent domain. Um to the rear of the property 40 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:45,920 is Dutchtown Park. Um there are some challenging physical features to the 41 00:08:41,279 --> 00:08:50,480 property like steep slopes. Um in 2022 the redevelopment authority in 42 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:56,000 conjunction with the city uh did a lot consolidation plan in which it took what 43 00:08:53,279 --> 00:09:04,320 I would call basically jigsaw pieces and made them into a regular lot. Um the 44 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:10,800 to the north of the property is the parking for Dutchtown Park uh which and 45 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:18,560 the park itself form is the backyard to this property. Um the proposal is to 46 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:23,839 have a uh to construct a duplex with one unit being uh owner occupied and the 47 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:28,959 other unit to be basically an aging in place facility. Um, 48 00:09:27,040 --> 00:09:33,200 but other than that, we are required to have three parking spaces and this is a 49 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:38,880 limited site and there's not a lot of on street parking at this spot. Um, it's a 50 00:09:36,959 --> 00:09:44,399 class C block under the zoning ordinance. Um, so to provide on-site 51 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:49,440 parking, we really the only place we can place it on this property. 52 00:09:46,080 --> 00:09:53,680 » So, so you meet the parking um criteria, just not the the width of the parking 53 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:57,920 spaces. Well, the the parking spaces themselves are wide enough. Just their 54 00:09:55,760 --> 00:10:02,560 location relative to the property to the sideyard is too close to the sideyard. 55 00:10:00,959 --> 00:10:06,640 Um, in one instance, the neighbor is the 56 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:12,000 city of Easton. It's its parking lot. So, uh, and on the other side, there's 57 00:10:10,000 --> 00:10:16,240 what looks like a crumbling down parking spot already, but we would just be 58 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:19,560 cleaning that up and putting a parking spot there. 59 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:33,360 though the the board is aware. Would you identify yourself for the record, 60 00:10:32,079 --> 00:10:36,079 please? >> Sure. My name is Michael Brett. I'm the 61 00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:38,399 deputy director of the redevelopment authority here on behalf of the 62 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:41,640 redevelopment authority. >> Thank you. 63 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:51,839 So the first set is um the planning application where you can see the kind 64 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:57,279 of chopped up. It was originally three lots, 26 Locust Street and 28th Locust 65 00:10:54,320 --> 00:11:02,640 Street. Um as you flip through the proposed lots and ultimately became the 66 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:06,320 approved lot um known as 28 South Locust Street is a combination of a 67 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:10,399 consolidation of the two smaller lots and then a lot line adjustment with 68 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:16,399 Dutchtown Park behind it to square it off and give it, you know, a more um 69 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:22,720 buildable surface area. And the final um print out is the proposed zoning 70 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:29,440 diagram. So it shows the residents um in elevation and plan. The lower um the 71 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:34,399 lower unit as as Mr. Edinger described is an ADA compliant wheelchair 72 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:42,000 accessible aging in place unit with a um a300 foot home built on top of it. 73 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:46,959 » And for the record what Mr. Brett just described 74 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:52,000 uh along with another attachment a memorandum 75 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:58,800 and the planning commission resolution dated August 3, 2022 76 00:11:55,519 --> 00:12:03,440 uh has been marked as exhibit A1. >> Thank you. 77 00:12:01,839 --> 00:12:07,360 » We're happy to answer any questions from the board. 78 00:12:04,399 --> 00:12:13,839 » Uh the uh re our setback is that proposed u lot one or two. So it's it's 79 00:12:11,680 --> 00:12:16,399 one lot because it's a dup a stack duplex. 80 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:21,680 » Okay. >> So it'll be one 12 foot 10 inch setback 81 00:12:19,680 --> 00:12:25,600 to the rear yard which to the rear property line which is itself um city 82 00:12:24,399 --> 00:12:30,399 property. >> So it's in order to meet the rear 83 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:34,160 setback the building orientation or dimensions would take up more street 84 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:39,680 frontage. Um but to maximize the street frontage to get um three off streetet 85 00:12:36,399 --> 00:12:43,120 parking spots we we approach it as a kind of 86 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:48,160 short and a narrow um footprint so that we can maximize the street frontage for 87 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:52,240 driveway aprons. Um so it was like one way we weren't going to get we're going 88 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:55,360 to be sacrificing something either way and I think the parking is more 89 00:12:53,600 --> 00:13:00,760 valuable. It was our kind of judgment call on this. 90 00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:00,760 » Any other questions from the board? 91 00:13:02,399 --> 00:13:06,720 » No, no further questions. You have anything 92 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:09,920 else you want to add? >> No, that's all. Just ask respectfully 93 00:13:08,639 --> 00:13:11,920 that you grant the variances as requested. 94 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:17,799 » Was there anybody I forgot? Was anybody else warning? Wasn't it? Was there? 95 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:19,819 » All right, I'm close the hearing. [clears throat] 96 00:13:21,519 --> 00:13:25,399 » Yeah, I mean 97 00:13:26,639 --> 00:13:30,120 I'd rather have 98 00:13:38,079 --> 00:13:44,560 Yeah, absolutely. >> Motion to approve by Mrs. Panto. 99 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:48,600 » Second. >> Second by Mr. Lopac. 100 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:51,760 » Miss Panto. >> Mr. Loac. 101 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:53,200 » I >> Mr. Civetella. 102 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,440 » Hi, >> Miss Thomas. 103 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,959 » Hi. >> Granite. Good luck. 104 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,959 » Thank you very much. Have a good evening. 105 00:14:09,544 --> 00:14:11,564 » [snorts] 106 00:14:14,399 --> 00:14:18,079 » All right. Open up the next hearing. Your secretary with the purpose, please. 107 00:14:18,059 --> 00:14:21,760 [clears throat] >> All right. Applications hereby made for 108 00:14:19,839 --> 00:14:25,440 public hearing before the East and Zoning Hearing Board for property known 109 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:29,680 as 260 West Milton Street zoning district southside street corridor 110 00:14:26,959 --> 00:14:33,480 enhancement block class B. Special exception 59514F13F1 111 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:40,800 proposed a 6' high fence in the sideyard. Requirement special exception 112 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:45,519 for fences over 4 ft in height. Above action is requested to proceed with a 50 113 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:50,399 foot by 6 foot high pressuret treated lumber uh standard privacy vertical 114 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:58,160 boards with one gate fence. The appellant is Raymond Gonzalez at 913 115 00:14:53,040 --> 00:15:06,320 Woodbine Avenue Ben Salem, PA1 19020. The owner is um Katherine uh Puffer at 116 00:15:02,639 --> 00:15:10,460 260 West Milton Street, Eastn PA. Uh 29 adjacent properties were notified and it 117 00:15:08,399 --> 00:15:13,920 was published in the press. [clears throat] 118 00:15:11,519 --> 00:15:19,360 And then I have uh the East and Planning Commission resolution from August 5th, 119 00:15:16,399 --> 00:15:22,320 2026. Now therefore, it be resolved that the East and Planning Commission 120 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:27,440 recommends to the zoning hearing board that the special exception be granted 121 00:15:24,399 --> 00:15:31,360 for the six-foot fence at 260 West Mil Street based on the findings that the 122 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:35,839 proposed use is generally consistent with 59507C 123 00:15:34,079 --> 00:15:40,079 considerations for special exceptions request 59540C 124 00:15:37,839 --> 00:15:44,000 criteria for special exceptions in the city's comprehensive plan with the 125 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:47,760 following conditions. One, the applica application is subject to any conditions 126 00:15:45,839 --> 00:15:51,040 the zoning hearing board may impose. Two, all additional comments from the 127 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:55,440 zoning administrator, zoning hearing board, codes and planning department and 128 00:15:52,959 --> 00:15:59,759 city engineer shall be met. >> Thank you, sir. Is the applicant 129 00:15:57,040 --> 00:16:04,199 present? Come forward, please. Is there anybody else that's here for this 130 00:16:01,199 --> 00:16:04,199 hearing? 131 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:09,800 I have many standing, please. It's going to be sworn in. 132 00:16:16,480 --> 00:16:20,720 And Mr. Tman, this property was posted. >> Yes, it was. 133 00:16:19,519 --> 00:16:24,160 » If you give your name and address for the record, please. 134 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,920 » Yeah. Deter. I don't think it's on. Is it on? 135 00:16:25,199 --> 00:16:30,240 » Yep. There you go. >> Katherine Feifer, 260 West Mill. 136 00:16:28,240 --> 00:16:33,600 » Thank you. Okay. Tell us why you're here. 137 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:37,680 » Um, I'm just purchasing a fence because the area is a little bit dangerous and I 138 00:16:35,519 --> 00:16:43,920 have a dog. So, your 4 foot fence, a 4 foot fence is 139 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:47,401 not um good for you. Why? >> That dog's definitely going to jump over 140 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:49,421 that fence. [laughter] 141 00:16:50,399 --> 00:16:54,279 » That's hard to argue with. 142 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:06,559 So from the from the photo we have is that the defense cover looks like it's 143 00:17:04,959 --> 00:17:12,240 almost triangular. >> Yeah. Back um one just because it's a 144 00:17:10,160 --> 00:17:16,959 little bit of a dangerous area if you're looking around the corner. We wanted to 145 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:22,720 make sure you could see the corner. As you know Milton and Philadelphia is 146 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:27,919 pretty pretty intense. So we did that. And then also my neighbor owns some of 147 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:31,679 the yard on the side. So, we wanted to be cautious of that as well. 148 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:35,280 » Okay. Any questions? 149 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:38,160 » Just one, when you say dangerous, are you talking about the traffic 150 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:42,799 surrounding the property? >> Yeah, I would say the traffic and 151 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:46,120 there's a lot of car accidents there. >> Thank you. 152 00:17:49,200 --> 00:18:00,720 Has your dog jumped to 4ft fence? Um, no, but he jumps. Um, he's a cattle dog, 153 00:17:57,440 --> 00:18:05,080 so in training he kind of jumps for fun. So, 154 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,080 » okay. 155 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:10,440 » All right. Any other questions? 156 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:24,640 » All right, reporters. No further questions. You have anything else you 157 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:28,760 want to add? >> All right. Close the hearing. 158 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:49,640 I have a dog. 159 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:58,840 » Yeah, 160 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:11,760 » Mr. Thomas made the to approve. Second, Mrs. Panto. 161 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:13,120 » Miss Thomas. >> Hi, 162 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:14,559 » Miss Manto. >> Hi, 163 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:16,160 » Mr. Civetella. >> Hi, 164 00:19:15,200 --> 00:19:21,039 » Mr. Lopac. >> Hi. 165 00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:24,640 » All right. Where'd she go? >> Thought you jumped the fence. All right. 166 00:19:22,638 --> 00:19:28,720 [laughter] >> It's been approved. Good luck. You don't 167 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:32,600 have to stay. I mean, you can if you want to, but you don't have to. 168 00:19:44,559 --> 00:19:49,600 Ruin >> sir. All right. I'll open up the next 169 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:52,880 hearing. The secretary read the purpose, please. 170 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:55,360 » All right. Applications hereby made for a public hearing before the eastern 171 00:19:54,080 --> 00:20:00,160 zoning hearing board for a property known as 34 South 13th Street Zoning 172 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:04,640 District Westward Street corridor enhancement block class C. Variances as 173 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:11,039 follows. 59515 F6 proposed 19 foot and a half uh wide 174 00:20:08,559 --> 00:20:17,280 driveway required driveways shall be no more than 10 ft wide. 59533 175 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:21,760 J3 proposed zero sideyard setback required off- streetet parking shall be 176 00:20:19,440 --> 00:20:26,960 at least 4T from any side lot line. The above action is request to proceed with 177 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:30,960 uh they want to remove old bricks and replace them with concrete so that cars 178 00:20:29,039 --> 00:20:40,799 can park in the back of the house. Uh, the pellant is Glad Glattis Orons at 348 179 00:20:35,520 --> 00:20:46,320 Wed Wedgewood Drive, East NPA 18045. The owner is Suzanne 180 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:52,159 Peter Rosowskis. Sorry if I messed that up. At 34 South 181 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:55,520 13th Street, East NPA. Uh, 40 47 adjacent property owners were notified 182 00:20:53,840 --> 00:21:00,559 and it was published in the press. >> Thank you. See the applicant is present. 183 00:20:58,799 --> 00:21:05,720 You want to rem remain standing. Is there anybody here in the audience that 184 00:21:01,919 --> 00:21:05,720 wants to speak at this hearing? 185 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:10,840 » I ask you to be sworn in now. 186 00:21:25,039 --> 00:21:31,919 » All right. You may be seated. If you could um Mr. Tilman, this 187 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:35,039 property was posted. >> Yes, it was. 188 00:21:32,799 --> 00:21:40,720 » And Mr. Chairman, before you proceed, if I may, Mr. Tilman, unlike uh the others 189 00:21:37,840 --> 00:21:46,159 in our uh packet tonight, uh there was no authorization included with this 190 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:48,880 particular appeal. Is there one on file? >> There is. 191 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:53,960 » There is. Thank you. >> If you could give your name and address 192 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,960 for the record, please. 193 00:21:54,080 --> 00:22:02,799 » Is that on? The microphone on? >> Is have turned on? There you go. 194 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:06,559 » Brian Rodriguez, 341 13th Street. >> And your name in? 195 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:13,200 » Gladis Rodriguez. Uh my address is 348 196 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:17,200 Wwood Drive, Houston, PA. 197 00:22:15,679 --> 00:22:22,880 » Thank you. >> So tell us why you're here. 198 00:22:19,919 --> 00:22:28,960 » So we would like to install a driveway in the back of the yard. Um the the 199 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:34,159 yard's basically useless anyways other than for a driveway and we think it'd be 200 00:22:32,559 --> 00:22:39,919 really convenient especially in the winter when there's uh you know state of 201 00:22:37,520 --> 00:22:46,400 emergencies and they make everybody clear out 13th Street like no one's 202 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:51,080 allowed to park there be easy for >> Do you have photos there? 203 00:22:48,080 --> 00:22:51,080 » Yeah. 204 00:22:52,559 --> 00:22:58,200 You want to give them to the secretary first, please? 205 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:58,200 » Yeah. 206 00:23:11,360 --> 00:23:14,360 Would 207 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:40,120 you like to come up and identify these after I marked them? 208 00:23:43,360 --> 00:23:50,919 Okay, I've marked this photo A1. If you can identify that for the board, please. 209 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:59,960 » Oh, so that's the entrance from the alleyway into the yard. 210 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:08,000 » You want to pass it down? >> It's in the front. 211 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:14,000 » And I've marked this as A2. Would you identify that please? That is the 212 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:19,080 current patio driveway 213 00:24:15,760 --> 00:24:19,080 » already there. 214 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:26,200 » And A3, 215 00:24:27,679 --> 00:24:37,080 that's a little area that we'd like to turn into a garden once we're done 216 00:24:33,279 --> 00:24:37,080 renovating the house. 217 00:24:39,120 --> 00:24:42,840 and A4. 218 00:24:44,799 --> 00:24:52,240 » That is a picture of the alleyway behind the house. 219 00:24:49,039 --> 00:24:55,520 » Just showing that the other properties, >> this is A3, 220 00:24:53,039 --> 00:25:00,720 » also have a fairly small yard. >> Mr. Tilman, if I can interrupt for a 221 00:24:57,039 --> 00:25:04,799 second. What does A3 have to do with >> These are just photos of his rear yard 222 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:08,480 that he took that the applicant took. So, but this has nothing to do with the 223 00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:11,279 with the parking pad >> typically. No, 224 00:25:09,600 --> 00:25:15,679 » no, he's just showing the description of his backyard. 225 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:18,799 » Is there any kind of impervious surface? >> No, he's in a street. He's in a street 226 00:25:17,120 --> 00:25:21,799 corridor, so he can go 100%. >> Okay. 227 00:25:23,200 --> 00:25:27,080 » Yeah. No, you can. 228 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:42,520 » And this is A5. That's the rest of the patio driveway. 229 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:42,520 » No, this is the drive already there. 230 00:25:43,039 --> 00:25:50,120 » Folks, can we keep >> Oh, okay. 231 00:25:50,799 --> 00:25:57,799 » Yeah. So, there's like a patio patio driveway 232 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:04,559 and then a six 233 00:26:04,799 --> 00:26:12,400 That's another view of the entrance from the alleyway into the backyard. 234 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:17,440 » And there are [clears throat] there are uh landscaping stones there. Is that an 235 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:21,480 accurate description? >> Ugly landscaping stones. 236 00:26:23,679 --> 00:26:31,279 » Replace all of that. >> Was that six? 237 00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:35,400 Yep. All right. This is A7. 238 00:26:42,159 --> 00:26:50,039 » It's basically the same photo. It's just >> You want to just keep that one then and 239 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:50,039 we'll mark the next one. A7. 240 00:26:52,000 --> 00:26:58,880 » All right. Then the replacement A7. Would you describe that, please? 241 00:26:56,400 --> 00:27:06,279 » Uh, again, another photo showing that other neighbors also have 242 00:27:01,360 --> 00:27:06,279 100% driveway for our yard. 243 00:27:17,120 --> 00:27:20,360 May I? 244 00:27:23,919 --> 00:27:27,080 Thank you. 245 00:27:36,159 --> 00:27:43,679 So, in other words, you're not you're not going to have any green yard at all. 246 00:27:41,760 --> 00:27:46,720 » Yeah, we will. In that one photo that I showed that I said I want to turn into a 247 00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:48,159 garden. >> Okay. 248 00:27:47,279 --> 00:27:52,080 » Yeah. >> I mean, he means green that you're going 249 00:27:49,919 --> 00:27:55,039 to park on. >> So, you're not going to park on 250 00:27:53,279 --> 00:28:00,080 » I wouldn't I would not like to park on grass. I would like to park on concrete 251 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:04,480 or asphalt, >> right? Yeah. No, Mike, with all due 252 00:28:02,080 --> 00:28:09,600 respect, that's not what I was >> asking if he was going to have any green 253 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:16,880 grassy yard at all. >> Well, there it would be about a 25 Well, 254 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:19,840 no, I think it's a 20 by like three foot area. 255 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:23,320 » That's that area that I want to turn into a garden. 256 00:28:23,679 --> 00:28:30,559 And what is the size of the rest of your yard that you're planning on? You You 257 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:36,840 keep saying driveway. Is it Is it just >> It's already covered in concrete. It's 258 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:36,840 just It's all busted up. And 259 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:44,080 » I think it was I I don't know which which how you marked it, but you can see 260 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:46,240 in this photo that there's a concrete slab right here. 261 00:28:45,600 --> 00:28:53,520 » Okay. >> And then there's a paver area right next 262 00:28:50,399 --> 00:28:55,840 to it. So your your entire yard is already 263 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:58,720 » Yeah. >> concrete or or 264 00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:01,720 » I just want to replace it with something nice. 265 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:04,880 » And this is just for cars in your household. 266 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:07,840 » Mhm. >> And how many cars you have? 267 00:29:06,559 --> 00:29:12,320 » There'll only be two. >> Maybe two. 268 00:29:08,480 --> 00:29:16,080 » Yeah. Once I'm able to move in. >> Once I'm sorry, what? 269 00:29:13,279 --> 00:29:20,960 » Once I'm able to move in. >> I'm I'm renovating it. Currently living 270 00:29:18,720 --> 00:29:22,799 with my mom. So, it's just going to be you in the 271 00:29:22,159 --> 00:29:24,320 house. >> Mhm. 272 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,559 » And your mom? >> No, just me. 273 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:30,480 » Well, then you have two cars. >> Yeah. A truck and a 274 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:34,360 » Okay. Okay. >> Any questions from the board? 275 00:29:35,279 --> 00:29:43,559 » I know there were some people that wanted that were sworn in. 276 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:43,559 You want to come forward, please? 277 00:29:50,080 --> 00:29:57,520 If you would state your name and address for the record, please. 278 00:29:52,960 --> 00:30:01,799 » David Cubic, uh, 36 South 13th Street. Cubic. K U B I C. 279 00:30:02,880 --> 00:30:11,120 » My only concern was it was brought to our attention by the realtor that it was 280 00:30:08,240 --> 00:30:15,840 going to be a multi-purpose home and it was listed as a single family. If it's 281 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:18,880 him, and it's just him living there. 282 00:30:17,360 --> 00:30:21,600 » I have no objections. >> That's I think that's I think that's 283 00:30:19,919 --> 00:30:25,919 what he said, right? There's no >> that's what he just stated. That's when 284 00:30:23,679 --> 00:30:29,039 my whole I was like, "Okay." Because it was brought to our attention from the 285 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:32,320 realtor that it was to be renovated and made a multi-purpose home. And I'm 286 00:30:30,559 --> 00:30:36,320 thinking to myself, you know, >> we've been here for 17 years. All of the 287 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:41,520 neighbors on the block has been here for more than 20 years. We maintain that 288 00:30:38,320 --> 00:30:45,919 alley. We snowblow it. Um I have neighbors with disabilities, so you 289 00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:48,960 know, to try to keep it open in case there is an emergency so they can get 290 00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:53,520 their cars out of the back in the winter time. It gets to be a community effort 291 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:58,480 back there. So, that was my major concern. If it's him, welcome to the 292 00:30:56,080 --> 00:31:03,120 neighborhood. If it's his two cars, I can handle it. So, I don't 293 00:31:00,399 --> 00:31:10,000 » And again, you don't Your plan is not to have it a multi-unit 294 00:31:05,679 --> 00:31:14,320 » place. No, no. One family for the house. >> I only seen him in passing one time. I 295 00:31:11,919 --> 00:31:17,520 wish he would have introduced himself. You know, we could have had this 296 00:31:15,600 --> 00:31:21,600 conversation probably in the backyard. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I 297 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:25,111 hope to see him in the future and >> you know, we can go from there. 298 00:31:22,799 --> 00:31:27,131 » Looks like there are no backyards. [laughter] 299 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:33,520 » Listen, I have five tomato plants in my backyard. So, all right. There you go. 300 00:31:31,600 --> 00:31:36,960 » You know, you know, we we do have a little bit of 301 00:31:35,039 --> 00:31:40,720 backard and you know, everybody tries to keep their stuff. 302 00:31:39,039 --> 00:31:45,039 We were just concerned that, you know, it was going to be a parking pad for 303 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:48,320 » for apartment. You know, like I said, like it was said to me to by the realtor 304 00:31:47,200 --> 00:31:52,080 before they [clears throat] had purchased the house. That's what the 305 00:31:49,840 --> 00:31:55,279 intentions were. I don't know if that was maybe that was a different seller 306 00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:58,080 for all. I was just concerned. >> Well, he stated on the record that it's 307 00:31:56,880 --> 00:32:00,320 not. So, >> which is fine. 308 00:31:58,799 --> 00:32:01,840 » Got him on that. >> Thank you for your time. 309 00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:04,720 » Thank you. >> Thank you. 310 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:08,399 » And Mr. Mr. Tman, if I may, just for the record, what is the current designation 311 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:12,480 of this property? >> It is an A2 semi- detached dwelling. 312 00:32:11,679 --> 00:32:13,760 » Single family. >> Single family. 313 00:32:13,120 --> 00:32:21,679 » Thank you. >> Okay. Anybody else that was sworn in? 314 00:32:18,159 --> 00:32:27,200 You weren't sworn in. >> Well, there 315 00:32:25,279 --> 00:32:30,240 sir, were you sworn in? You weren't sworn in. 316 00:32:27,919 --> 00:32:33,240 » Okay. >> Yes. 317 00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:39,039 Yes, >> I do so swear. 318 00:32:37,519 --> 00:32:44,159 » You give your name and address for the record, please. 319 00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:47,760 » 1236 Northampton Street. Will this construction of yours in your 320 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:54,799 surrounding property affect my restaurant, Brooklyn Eats, SNS, my 321 00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:57,360 awesome neighbors, or the Paxosa school? >> No. 322 00:32:55,600 --> 00:33:01,919 » Any of that surrounding area? No. >> All right, then. I wish you the best on 323 00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:04,799 your construction then. Thank you. >> Thank you. 324 00:33:03,039 --> 00:33:08,279 » Thank you. >> Anybody else? 325 00:33:08,799 --> 00:33:12,919 » Any other questions from the board? 326 00:33:13,200 --> 00:33:16,519 » You have something? 327 00:33:26,159 --> 00:33:33,360 » So that's a good point. So, um, so you're going from 328 00:33:32,240 --> 00:33:35,679 your >> property line to property line, 329 00:33:34,480 --> 00:33:39,760 » property line to property line >> wide, 330 00:33:36,880 --> 00:33:42,640 » zero yard setback. >> Is that 331 00:33:41,039 --> 00:33:48,640 » And I don't have a measurement of of it. We don't have any drawings or anything. 332 00:33:45,760 --> 00:33:52,240 Is that necessary to fit two cars or is that 333 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:59,120 » just just for like a approach angle and since it is a fairly narrow driveway in 334 00:33:54,640 --> 00:34:04,000 the back and I have quite long truck uh just to be able to to have some more 335 00:34:02,559 --> 00:34:08,639 approach angle. >> You have a 19 and a half wide driveway. 336 00:34:07,440 --> 00:34:12,639 » Mhm. [clears throat] >> I'm trying to follow suit. Yeah. 337 00:34:10,000 --> 00:34:17,280 » And then, you know, having one car parked, let's say, to the left and then 338 00:34:14,639 --> 00:34:20,399 I would try to come in with my truck and park it on the right side. 339 00:34:19,119 --> 00:34:27,040 » Yeah. >> Just to have two two parking spots. 340 00:34:24,159 --> 00:34:30,000 Could you could you have a foot on each side? 341 00:34:27,520 --> 00:34:34,240 » How how wide is the property? >> I think the property is about 20 ft 342 00:34:32,240 --> 00:34:38,359 wide. >> Oh, just 20. 343 00:34:35,359 --> 00:34:38,359 » Yeah. 344 00:34:40,399 --> 00:34:47,800 » 10 ft. 9 ft is the >> That's 9 ft 345 00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:47,800 9 by 18. 346 00:34:55,119 --> 00:34:59,800 I know. Yeah. So, what we're 347 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:09,599 » Would you would you be agreeable to have a foot on each side so that you have 348 00:35:07,359 --> 00:35:13,760 some space between property lines so that you can at least uh take care of 349 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:17,920 the property on your own side. So if you're if you're from property line to 350 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:21,359 property line, you have to go on somebody else's property to take care of 351 00:35:19,359 --> 00:35:24,960 it basically. [clears throat] >> And water runoff. 352 00:35:22,240 --> 00:35:29,040 » And water runoff also would be >> you give yourself a little bit of 353 00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:32,720 permeable surface. >> I I can do that. Yeah. 354 00:35:30,720 --> 00:35:39,920 » Okay. >> I I'll put a one foot 355 00:35:36,160 --> 00:35:46,720 margin on either side of it. So, you realize that is going to require that 356 00:35:42,079 --> 00:35:53,200 you uh on the record modify your appeal to request not a zero sideyard setback, 357 00:35:50,160 --> 00:35:56,200 but a one foot sideyard setback on each side. 358 00:35:56,400 --> 00:36:03,839 » I'm I'm sorry, one one more time. >> It's okay. We would ask if that's what 359 00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:09,920 you're willing to do uh that you verify you are willing to revise your appeal to 360 00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:12,640 request a one foot sideyard setback on each side of the property. 361 00:36:12,079 --> 00:36:16,119 » Okay. >> Instead of zero 362 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:22,960 » So would I would I have to resubmit that application and come here again? 363 00:36:20,720 --> 00:36:28,200 » Nope. I'm asking you to do it now on the record. 364 00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:28,200 » Oh. Uh yeah. Okay. 365 00:36:36,880 --> 00:36:43,119 All right. Any other questions? 366 00:36:41,359 --> 00:36:53,200 » Now, Mr. Chairman, do you want to specify that that one foot setback be 367 00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:56,880 saw or grass and not stone or any other? >> I understand. 368 00:36:54,880 --> 00:37:00,960 » I I don't I don't typically have a preference. No, I mean Okay. 369 00:36:59,599 --> 00:37:05,320 » Jacob. >> Okay. 370 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:05,320 » Just just ask. 371 00:37:09,760 --> 00:37:13,119 » All right. The board has no further questions. Do you have anything else you 372 00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:15,359 want to add? >> No, sir. 373 00:37:13,920 --> 00:37:21,119 » All right. Thank you. I close the hearing. 374 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:29,000 » I would suggest the board consider attaching a condition prohibiting rental 375 00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:29,000 of the spaces to 376 00:37:50,160 --> 00:37:57,440 Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas and make a motion. Okay. To approve 377 00:37:55,040 --> 00:37:59,280 » Mr. Lopac. Second >> with that condition. 378 00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:02,240 » That condition. >> Yes. 379 00:38:00,480 --> 00:38:04,160 » All right. Uh, Miss Thomas. >> Hi, 380 00:38:02,640 --> 00:38:06,160 » Mr. Lopes. >> I, 381 00:38:04,560 --> 00:38:09,040 » Miss Mr. Civetella. >> Hi, 382 00:38:06,720 --> 00:38:13,599 » Miss Panto. So, it's been it's been approved with the condition that you can 383 00:38:10,960 --> 00:38:16,000 only use it for people with that property. 384 00:38:14,720 --> 00:38:18,160 » Can't rent it out. >> Okay. 385 00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:23,000 » Okay. >> Thank you. 386 00:38:19,760 --> 00:38:23,000 » Thank you. 387 00:38:34,560 --> 00:38:37,560 Ready. 388 00:38:51,839 --> 00:38:55,920 » Ready. All right. Open up the next hearing. Your secretary to purpose, 389 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:59,680 please. >> All right. Applications hereby made for 390 00:38:58,320 --> 00:39:03,440 public hearing before the eastern zoning hearing board for a property known as 391 00:39:01,280 --> 00:39:08,720 329 Folk Street zoning district southside block class C. Special 392 00:39:06,400 --> 00:39:15,200 exception for an A7 multifamily and variances as follows. 59514C1 393 00:39:12,720 --> 00:39:19,440 proposed an A7 multifamily dwelling required a special exception. 394 00:39:17,680 --> 00:39:25,520 59514D proposed existing lot area of 4,875 395 00:39:22,800 --> 00:39:32,640 square feet. Required minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet. 59514D 396 00:39:29,440 --> 00:39:36,960 proposed existing 5 foot bill line required a three-foot build two line. 397 00:39:35,040 --> 00:39:44,160 59514D proposed existing zero rear yard setback 398 00:39:41,200 --> 00:39:50,000 required a minimum 25 foot rear yard setback. 59514D 399 00:39:47,440 --> 00:39:54,240 proposed existing imperous coverage of 67%. 400 00:39:51,760 --> 00:39:58,480 Required maximum impervious coverage not to exceed 50%. 401 00:39:56,320 --> 00:40:03,599 59514F3 proposed. No street trees require street 402 00:40:01,680 --> 00:40:12,079 trees shall be planted along all streets in accordance with chapter 5542 and as 403 00:40:06,720 --> 00:40:20,160 determined by the city forester 59532A2A proposed 1219 square ft per dwelling 404 00:40:15,920 --> 00:40:23,760 unit required a minimum lot size 1250 square feet per dwelling unit. The above 405 00:40:22,160 --> 00:40:29,280 actions request to proceed with the conversion of an A2 mixed residential 406 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:35,520 business into an A7 multi-use. The appellent is Atten Vermin at 831 Walnut 407 00:40:32,640 --> 00:40:43,680 A Eastn PA 18042. The owner is Avis Property LLC at 831 408 00:40:39,760 --> 00:40:48,160 Walnut A Eastn PA. Uh 38 adjacent property owners were notified. It was 409 00:40:45,440 --> 00:40:53,359 published in the press. We also have the resolution from the 410 00:40:51,040 --> 00:40:57,599 Eastn Planning Commission dated August 5th, 2026. 411 00:40:55,440 --> 00:41:01,359 Now, now therefore, it be resolved that the East Planning Commission recommends 412 00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:07,040 to the zoning hearing board that the special exception be granted for the A7 413 00:41:04,160 --> 00:41:12,800 multifamily use at 329 Folk Street based on the findings that the proposed use is 414 00:41:08,960 --> 00:41:17,040 generally consistent with 59507C. Considerations for special exception 415 00:41:14,640 --> 00:41:20,880 request 59540C criteria for special exceptions and the 416 00:41:19,280 --> 00:41:25,359 city's comprehensive plan with the following conditions. One, an impact 417 00:41:23,359 --> 00:41:28,400 assessment and mitigation statement is submitted and reviewed by planning 418 00:41:27,200 --> 00:41:33,440 commission as part of the land development application. Two, the zoning 419 00:41:30,880 --> 00:41:38,800 hearing board consider new information provided by the applicant at the August 420 00:41:35,200 --> 00:41:43,119 5th, 2026 planning commission regarding the applicant's commitment to planting 421 00:41:40,960 --> 00:41:48,079 forestry trees along the frontage of the property. Three, the applica application 422 00:41:46,319 --> 00:41:52,160 is subject to any conditions the zoning hearing board may impose. Four, all 423 00:41:50,640 --> 00:41:55,760 additional comments from the zoning administrator, zoning hearing board, 424 00:41:53,920 --> 00:42:00,560 codes and planning department, and city engineer shall be met. 425 00:41:57,760 --> 00:42:03,839 » Mr. Tman, I um And I could have heard it wrong, but did you say A2 or A12? 426 00:42:03,200 --> 00:42:07,839 » Did you hear it? >> It did say A2 and I was going to wait, 427 00:42:05,839 --> 00:42:12,640 but it is an A12 existing. >> All right, 428 00:42:09,599 --> 00:42:18,079 » is is the applicant present? >> Is there anybody in this audience that 429 00:42:14,400 --> 00:42:22,680 wants to speak at this hearing? >> Have you stand up, sir, be sworn in, 430 00:42:19,680 --> 00:42:22,680 please? 431 00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:33,119 Yes, I do. >> Okay. You want to give your name and 432 00:42:31,520 --> 00:42:38,560 address for the record, please? >> Hatton Verma, 831 Walnut Street, Eastern 433 00:42:36,319 --> 00:42:42,000 PA. >> And uh chair, Mr. Chair, this property 434 00:42:41,119 --> 00:42:45,240 was posted. >> Thank you. 435 00:42:46,000 --> 00:42:51,119 » You can tell I forgot, didn't you? >> Did. All right, sir. Tell us why you're 436 00:42:49,839 --> 00:42:56,240 here. >> I'm requesting to turn this uh 437 00:42:53,119 --> 00:43:03,760 commercial unit into a three unit apartment building. It has an attached 438 00:42:58,800 --> 00:43:07,119 house is one lot is one parcel and it's due to the hardship that I'm going 439 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:12,480 for this because I'm not able to rent that spot out at all and I'm not looking 440 00:43:09,280 --> 00:43:15,920 to construct anything outside the building that is already 441 00:43:14,160 --> 00:43:20,960 existing. So everything that is I'm doing or proposing it's inside. So I'm 442 00:43:18,319 --> 00:43:26,880 not increasing the footprint. I'm not doing nothing that sort. 443 00:43:23,440 --> 00:43:32,720 Can you speak then to the all the proposed um 444 00:43:30,160 --> 00:43:36,560 codes that you that you know that are our codes don't allow for you? So you 445 00:43:34,720 --> 00:43:41,920 could tell the board you know why you need all the variances and I think one 446 00:43:39,520 --> 00:43:44,880 is a special exception. >> Uh which one? 447 00:43:44,319 --> 00:43:48,560 » All of them. >> I don't have anything in front of me 448 00:43:46,000 --> 00:43:51,920 right now to tell you. Um, 449 00:43:49,920 --> 00:43:56,560 » so you have a so you have a minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet and you're and 450 00:43:54,079 --> 00:44:02,000 you're proposing 4,875. You have a three foot build to line. You 451 00:43:59,280 --> 00:44:06,720 need five feet to build 25 foot rare setback. You're proposing 452 00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:11,520 nothing. You have a maximum impervious cover 453 00:44:09,040 --> 00:44:15,680 coverage not to exceed 50%. You are at 67%. 454 00:44:13,839 --> 00:44:20,000 Uh, you're proposing no trees when it calls for trees. 455 00:44:17,920 --> 00:44:23,119 No, I am proposing trees. Four trees. >> You are? 456 00:44:20,720 --> 00:44:27,200 » Yes. >> Per the 457 00:44:24,960 --> 00:44:34,960 » Oh, okay. Okay. I'm sorry. >> And then the minimum lot size of 1,250 458 00:44:30,560 --> 00:44:41,040 ft versus your 1219 square feet. So, 459 00:44:38,079 --> 00:44:44,800 let let me see if I can make this easy. Uh in your opening statement, did I 460 00:44:42,720 --> 00:44:49,839 understand you correctly when you said that you were having difficulty renting 461 00:44:48,000 --> 00:44:55,359 the commercial unit? >> Yes. Because of uh the traffic that will 462 00:44:52,480 --> 00:45:00,000 bring to the neighborhood. Um uh we proposed barber shop that got denied. We 463 00:44:57,839 --> 00:45:04,560 proposed a couple other units and they were denied different businesses and 464 00:45:02,160 --> 00:45:09,040 there was one approved but then neighbors complained because it was 465 00:45:06,560 --> 00:45:14,240 actually helping. It was something to do with community helping and these people 466 00:45:11,280 --> 00:45:19,440 will line up front of the location early morning like 7 o'clock 10 20 of them for 467 00:45:17,359 --> 00:45:23,440 whatever they the business was I think they were helping they were government 468 00:45:21,599 --> 00:45:28,240 site something like that but anyways they were denied to renew the lease for 469 00:45:26,560 --> 00:45:34,079 the second time since then we haven't been leased at all 470 00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:38,400 » okay and so all you're not there are three separate units in the building 471 00:45:36,319 --> 00:45:45,359 presently So there is 472 00:45:42,560 --> 00:45:49,440 so there's a house same parcel same lot there's a house attached and then 473 00:45:46,640 --> 00:45:54,880 there's a building which is commercial also attached so it's like I guess this 474 00:45:51,520 --> 00:45:58,960 was mix right so the commercial building that is there 475 00:45:57,280 --> 00:46:05,280 this is the entire commercial building right here and we are just dividing that 476 00:46:01,119 --> 00:46:11,200 within the premises that exist two into three apartments 477 00:46:09,280 --> 00:46:16,240 and they all have because the corner property it has all all the three 478 00:46:13,520 --> 00:46:19,240 apartments have their own entrances and windows. 479 00:46:22,400 --> 00:46:27,599 » There are two buildings on this property. 480 00:46:25,040 --> 00:46:30,000 » There is a house attached to the building. 481 00:46:28,240 --> 00:46:33,119 » Are they both on the same property, Mr. Tman? 482 00:46:31,280 --> 00:46:38,640 » They are. So if you look at 483 00:46:36,160 --> 00:46:42,800 and the packet here at the corner one. So, this single family house, well, it's 484 00:46:40,880 --> 00:46:46,079 a part of the mixed juice, but it's connected to the commercial building. 485 00:46:44,960 --> 00:46:48,640 Got it. >> Which I'm not touching at all. That 486 00:46:47,760 --> 00:46:50,960 stays as is. >> I was going to ask you that. So, you're 487 00:46:49,920 --> 00:46:55,119 doing nothing with the house. >> We're not doing nothing with the house. 488 00:46:53,200 --> 00:46:59,280 » And the house is just a single family. >> Single family. Yes. 489 00:46:57,359 --> 00:47:03,880 » And we do rent out to section 8. So, that's what's going to be used for as 490 00:47:00,880 --> 00:47:03,880 well. 491 00:47:06,480 --> 00:47:13,240 We're not changing anything on print. No, 492 00:47:09,839 --> 00:47:13,240 » only interior. 493 00:47:15,359 --> 00:47:19,480 » Exactly. Right. Correct. 494 00:47:19,599 --> 00:47:24,079 » I see a garage. Is there Is there a garage? 495 00:47:22,000 --> 00:47:26,720 » That garage is going to turn into like a studio apartment. 496 00:47:25,200 --> 00:47:29,920 » Okay. That garage was for the house. 497 00:47:28,319 --> 00:47:31,680 » No, it was for the commercial. >> Commercial. 498 00:47:30,480 --> 00:47:35,920 » Yeah. And when you were talking about the the 499 00:47:33,760 --> 00:47:37,599 denied rentals, did you own it during this? Can you give a little more? That 500 00:47:37,280 --> 00:47:40,960 was >> I own the property for past five to six 501 00:47:39,760 --> 00:47:45,119 years now. >> Okay. And throughout that, you've tried 502 00:47:42,720 --> 00:47:48,800 to go to a garage. They got denied so forth and so on. So you've made various 503 00:47:47,200 --> 00:47:52,720 attempts for five years. >> Yeah. And where the garage is, that's 504 00:47:50,960 --> 00:48:02,640 like a very narrow street. It got parking on both sides. And um 505 00:47:58,160 --> 00:48:07,599 so we did rent it out to a um milwork business but they were having difficulty 506 00:48:05,200 --> 00:48:11,079 getting big trucks delivery so they left. 507 00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:14,880 » Yeah. 508 00:48:17,440 --> 00:48:28,240 So with those four dimensional variances involving existing conditions, you're 509 00:48:25,599 --> 00:48:35,359 going to plant four trees in the front to address 59514F3 510 00:48:31,599 --> 00:48:40,079 leaves you requesting a 31 square foot per dwelling unit variance for each of 511 00:48:37,680 --> 00:48:45,240 the three new residential units. >> Yes, please. boils down to 512 00:48:52,400 --> 00:48:55,400 try. 513 00:49:07,920 --> 00:49:13,520 Do you have any other questions for him? Any 514 00:49:11,839 --> 00:49:20,839 questions? No further questions. Anything else you want to add? 515 00:49:16,800 --> 00:49:20,839 » Okay. Close the hearing. 516 00:49:31,760 --> 00:49:41,920 You do want to attach as any approval you enterainment 517 00:49:37,119 --> 00:49:47,920 that he installed those four. >> Okay. 518 00:49:43,920 --> 00:49:51,599 We can do it the planning commission. >> Okay. 519 00:49:49,520 --> 00:49:56,640 Who made the motion? >> Mrs. Pens made a motion to approve. Mr. 520 00:49:54,160 --> 00:49:59,599 Lac second with that condition. >> All right. Miss Pa. 521 00:49:58,640 --> 00:50:01,839 » Mr. Lopac. >> I. 522 00:49:59,920 --> 00:50:03,520 » Mr. Civetella. Hi, >> Miss Thomas. 523 00:50:02,720 --> 00:50:06,960 » Hi. >> It's been approved with that with the 524 00:50:05,440 --> 00:50:09,119 condition to add the port trees. >> I will definitely will do that. Thank 525 00:50:08,240 --> 00:50:10,319 you very much. >> Thank you. 526 00:50:09,359 --> 00:50:13,559 » Good luck. >> Thank you. 527 00:50:14,800 --> 00:50:17,800 » Yeah. 528 00:50:25,119 --> 00:50:28,440 » Mr. Chairman 529 00:50:29,680 --> 00:50:33,920 desire to Do you 530 00:50:32,319 --> 00:50:36,800 » I'm okay. >> Yeah. Okay. We're doing this separate, 531 00:50:36,240 --> 00:50:41,200 right? >> Yeah, we are doing it separate. So maybe 532 00:50:38,559 --> 00:50:44,599 if we need to >> Okay. All right. 533 00:50:45,520 --> 00:50:49,119 Are you ready? >> Yep. 534 00:50:47,680 --> 00:50:52,319 » All right. Open up the next hearing. Second to read the purpose, please. 535 00:50:51,025 --> 00:50:56,160 [clears throat] >> All right. Applications hereby made for 536 00:50:54,160 --> 00:51:00,400 a public hearing before the Eastn Zoning Hearing Board for property known as 1100 537 00:50:58,319 --> 00:51:05,200 Bushkill Drive, zoning district river corridor, block class B, special 538 00:51:02,880 --> 00:51:09,520 exception for an A12 mixeduse residential business and variances as 539 00:51:07,200 --> 00:51:16,400 follows. 59517 C5 proposed an A12 mixed residential 540 00:51:13,680 --> 00:51:21,599 business required a special exception 59517D1 541 00:51:18,720 --> 00:51:26,960 proposed building height of 62 ft required a maximum building height of 40 542 00:51:23,520 --> 00:51:31,680 ft 59517F3 proposed shrubs along the street side of 543 00:51:29,440 --> 00:51:37,119 the building required street trees shall be planted along both sides of all 544 00:51:33,839 --> 00:51:42,240 streets in accordance with chapter 5542 And as determined by the city forester 545 00:51:39,680 --> 00:51:49,359 59517F6 proposed driveways driveway to be 24 546 00:51:45,760 --> 00:51:54,160 feet wide require driveways access via street and not an alley shall be no more 547 00:51:51,760 --> 00:51:57,760 than 10 ft wide. The above action is request to proceed with construction of 548 00:51:55,920 --> 00:52:01,920 a mixeduse residential commercial building for the redevelopment of 549 00:51:59,520 --> 00:52:09,599 existing property along Bushkill Drive. The pelen is Brandon Walker at 1 Oxford 550 00:52:05,359 --> 00:52:15,359 Center, Pittsburgh, PA5219. The owner of the property is uh City of 551 00:52:11,839 --> 00:52:22,079 East at 123 South Thirdrd Street, Eastn PA. 25 adjacent property owners were 552 00:52:17,680 --> 00:52:28,000 notified. It was published in the press and resolution from the Eastn Planning 553 00:52:24,480 --> 00:52:31,839 Commission July 1st, 2026. Now therefore, it be resolved that the Eastn 554 00:52:30,079 --> 00:52:38,640 Planning Commission grants conditional preliminary approval of the submitted 555 00:52:34,319 --> 00:52:43,040 plan titled the Foundry Site Development Plan provided that the applicant aderes 556 00:52:40,800 --> 00:52:47,680 to the following conditions. One, the plans shall comply with the planning 557 00:52:44,640 --> 00:52:55,839 staff's analysis memorandum dated June 22, 2026 and comply with all comments in 558 00:52:51,599 --> 00:52:59,440 the April 24th, 2026 letter from LVPC. Two, the zoning hearing board grants a 559 00:52:57,520 --> 00:53:03,760 special exception and variances required with this application and subject to any 560 00:53:01,599 --> 00:53:08,000 conditions. The zoning hearing board may impose all variances that have been 561 00:53:05,680 --> 00:53:13,359 addressed and submitted revision shall be withdrawn on record. Three, monuments 562 00:53:11,520 --> 00:53:17,760 and markers shall be verified and shown for all corners of the property. Four, a 563 00:53:15,920 --> 00:53:22,960 note indicating the site is not within the 100year foot flood plane shall be 564 00:53:20,240 --> 00:53:27,839 added to the plans. Five, standard approved uh city certificates shall be 565 00:53:25,440 --> 00:53:32,240 added to the plans. Six, all additional comments and concerns of the city 566 00:53:29,440 --> 00:53:36,720 engineering engineer, city forester, zoning administrator, fire department, 567 00:53:34,000 --> 00:53:40,800 codes department shall be met. Seven, the plan shall not be recorded and with 568 00:53:39,200 --> 00:53:46,319 the county of Northampton, Pennsylvania to all plan titles and certificates are 569 00:53:42,880 --> 00:53:49,920 endorsed by authorized signatures. >> Thank you, Toman. Um, is the applicant 570 00:53:49,040 --> 00:53:56,720 present? >> Yes. Anybody here for this hearing? 571 00:53:55,280 --> 00:54:00,000 Anybody that wish to speak at this hearing? I need you to be sworn in now. 572 00:53:58,640 --> 00:54:04,440 If you don't, if you're not going to be sworn in, you're not going to speak 573 00:54:01,440 --> 00:54:04,440 later. 574 00:54:19,760 --> 00:54:25,922 » Mr. Chair, this property was posted. >> I I was getting to that. 575 00:54:23,119 --> 00:54:25,922 » Oh, I'm sorry, sir. [laughter] 576 00:54:27,839 --> 00:54:34,960 » Hi, y'all. >> Councelor, if you could have your um 577 00:54:32,720 --> 00:54:39,760 applicants give their names and address for the record, that'd be great. 578 00:54:36,640 --> 00:54:43,599 » Can just make sure that's on. >> Hi, this is Mark Mulligan, uh VM 579 00:54:42,160 --> 00:54:50,960 Development Group representing the preferred developer. Uh address 1 South 580 00:54:46,079 --> 00:54:55,119 3rd Street, 9th floor, Eastern PA. Gretchen Rice representing VM 581 00:54:53,119 --> 00:54:57,040 Development Group 1 South 3rd Street Eastern PA. 582 00:54:55,920 --> 00:55:02,079 » I'm sorry, your last name >> Rice. R I 583 00:54:58,559 --> 00:55:09,119 » Oh, Rice. Okay, thank you. >> May proceed. And sir, you are 584 00:55:05,920 --> 00:55:17,280 » Brandon Walker. I'm with HDR Engineering for the project and that would be uh 585 00:55:13,119 --> 00:55:22,160 Oxford Center, Pittsburgh, PA1529. And before we proceed, Mr. Chairman, Mr. 586 00:55:20,160 --> 00:55:27,520 Tilman, can I just ask one thing just to get it on the record? Was there a 587 00:55:24,240 --> 00:55:33,280 determination made as to whether that this port this property or any portion 588 00:55:29,920 --> 00:55:40,800 of it is located in the flood plane? >> The the back end where the 589 00:55:37,520 --> 00:55:45,599 the storm water um ripin uh just just barely breaks the 590 00:55:44,000 --> 00:55:51,040 boundary of the flood plane, 100-year flood plane. Um, we had discussions with 591 00:55:47,760 --> 00:55:56,559 the city and uh with Brandon Walker that will be relocated outside of the 592 00:55:53,200 --> 00:56:01,599 100-year flip. >> Okay. Thank you. 593 00:55:59,839 --> 00:56:06,720 » Now we can proceed. >> Good evening. Um, thanks for seeing us 594 00:56:04,319 --> 00:56:12,559 this evening. Um I just wanted to state for the record that uh we it came to our 595 00:56:09,440 --> 00:56:17,920 attention uh late on Friday and more into Monday even though we had gone 596 00:56:15,119 --> 00:56:23,280 before the planning commission and shown our plans and so on and you know we've 597 00:56:20,160 --> 00:56:26,960 been working with the city's team for better part of two years and this 598 00:56:25,280 --> 00:56:31,040 project's been in progress for five years and it's gone through a couple 599 00:56:28,160 --> 00:56:37,440 iterations that um some members of the public did not like the uh facade design 600 00:56:35,119 --> 00:56:42,799 uh that we uh had proposed at this point in the project uh and that we are 601 00:56:39,760 --> 00:56:48,480 planning to meet with council next uh month and propose a variation on the 602 00:56:46,640 --> 00:56:53,839 shell of the building. But that is not to say that we are here tonight though 603 00:56:50,240 --> 00:56:58,240 to solidify the zoning uh request that we have here tonight to try to then 604 00:56:55,839 --> 00:57:01,760 solidify the shell of the buildings so that we're all uh we're all on the same 605 00:57:00,319 --> 00:57:06,880 page. So that's why we're proceeding this evening and we're happy to take all 606 00:57:04,480 --> 00:57:10,480 the questions necessary um you know at that council meeting andor at the next 607 00:57:08,880 --> 00:57:15,280 planning commission meeting as it relates to shell and design and scope of 608 00:57:13,200 --> 00:57:20,240 the exterior of the building. >> Thank you. 609 00:57:16,799 --> 00:57:25,520 » Um as it goes to today and tonight's um very limited scope um we're here to 610 00:57:22,400 --> 00:57:27,760 discuss um this building. There are two this is on one side but they're 611 00:57:26,640 --> 00:57:32,160 separated by the street. So we're actually here for two applications. Um 612 00:57:30,160 --> 00:57:37,760 that is the current look of the shell as of Friday which will most likely be 613 00:57:34,000 --> 00:57:43,520 changing in the month of September. That is the represents the parcel. If 614 00:57:40,960 --> 00:57:47,599 you'll notice the what u you know what Dwayne was just talking about and being 615 00:57:44,960 --> 00:57:52,319 asked about is the storm system actually is shared on both properties 616 00:57:49,920 --> 00:57:56,319 and then goes through that all the way in the far right outlet is the outlet 617 00:57:54,559 --> 00:58:01,920 that was being discussed. It's barely inside the buffer. Technically, D 618 00:57:58,720 --> 00:58:05,680 already granted us the uh the waiver to put it exactly there, but it's not a big 619 00:58:04,000 --> 00:58:08,960 deal. When engineering looked at it, we can pull it back a few feet. It seemed 620 00:58:06,960 --> 00:58:14,480 to be some concern. It's no problem at all. We're here to try to please as many 621 00:58:10,960 --> 00:58:18,319 parties as possible. Um but yep, so the first thing we're here for tonight is 622 00:58:16,079 --> 00:58:22,240 the special exception, which is really just a figure of the fact we're in a 623 00:58:20,000 --> 00:58:27,359 special um we're in a special exception zoning corridor, which is the river 624 00:58:23,599 --> 00:58:31,599 corridor. Um and as that is just I don't if you remember with the silk mill uh 625 00:58:29,760 --> 00:58:36,799 you know every business was special exception in the river corridor. So um 626 00:58:34,720 --> 00:58:40,880 we feel that you know we already have a lot of mixed use in the river corridor 627 00:58:38,640 --> 00:58:46,160 and we're hoping that that continuation of developing this actual Bushkill 628 00:58:43,440 --> 00:58:50,400 corridor with mixed use is still in keeping with uh zoning compliance. So 629 00:58:49,359 --> 00:58:54,799 there's really not much more to say other than this is a accepted principle 630 00:58:52,880 --> 00:58:58,119 already all over the silk mill and was granted before. 631 00:59:00,480 --> 00:59:07,520 one of the two actually three right we have three on this property variances 632 00:59:05,040 --> 00:59:14,400 right we have building height that's the first one the original proposal we 633 00:59:11,040 --> 00:59:21,599 proposed to um the city back in 21 and then reproposed in 24 the mic is not 634 00:59:17,680 --> 00:59:26,720 liking me um required us to get a at least a 10 foot variance because we were 635 00:59:24,400 --> 00:59:30,480 doing a structure and then three floors above now we're just doing four floors 636 00:59:28,640 --> 00:59:36,640 so it's basically the The reason that we are asking for at 637 00:59:33,440 --> 00:59:41,440 least 10 ft and possibly 20 feet, it's not quite 62. Um, it's actually 60 ft. 638 00:59:40,160 --> 00:59:47,280 when we actually looked at the plans more carefully um by just to explain it 639 00:59:44,720 --> 00:59:49,760 a little bit at a time the way that we would like to make the apartments 640 00:59:48,480 --> 00:59:53,359 instead of having eight foot ceilings which are very low more in keeping with 641 00:59:51,760 --> 00:59:57,920 the mill and other buildings in the corridor as you can see building K I 642 00:59:56,799 --> 01:00:01,680 don't know if anyone has visited the silk mill recently the big building D 643 01:00:00,240 --> 01:00:06,400 the large buildings there also down the street you have Hmel Lumber and then of 644 01:00:04,000 --> 01:00:11,280 course the paper mill all are tall buildings we believe those represent the 645 01:00:08,960 --> 01:00:15,440 masses of the buildings in the corridor, not the, you know, not the small homes 646 01:00:13,280 --> 01:00:19,599 and various other businesses that are located directly across the street. 647 01:00:17,520 --> 01:00:23,280 That's our that's our feeling on it. And we would like to have apartments that 648 01:00:21,119 --> 01:00:28,880 had higher ceilings 10t, which is why we're proposing going from 40 to 50 ft. 649 01:00:26,720 --> 01:00:33,040 That would be 10 ft outside of the current zoning request. 650 01:00:31,680 --> 01:00:36,880 We would also like to go an additional 10 feet. Um, we have the support of the 651 01:00:35,359 --> 01:00:41,920 Carl Stewart Arts Trail here tonight. Jim Toy is here. is the executive 652 01:00:38,400 --> 01:00:45,200 director and uh we feel that um it's important to show off the the site. 653 01:00:43,839 --> 01:00:49,280 They're actually already planning on leasing the commercial space on the 654 01:00:46,480 --> 01:00:54,400 first floor as their trail office and and gatherings place. And they would 655 01:00:51,599 --> 01:00:58,079 like to also have a roof deck where they can host parties and fundraising events 656 01:00:56,319 --> 01:01:01,599 to help the trail, which the city will be building after the fact. Really not 657 01:01:00,160 --> 01:01:05,920 on us. That's going to be on them to do all that along the river corridor um on 658 01:01:04,559 --> 01:01:10,240 the edge of the property. and they would have liked us to do a um a roof deck. 659 01:01:09,119 --> 01:01:13,119 And in doing that, we would need the elevator to go to the roof and we need 660 01:01:11,680 --> 01:01:17,839 at least one stair tower to go to the roof. So that's the additional 10 feet. 661 01:01:15,040 --> 01:01:21,920 The reason it says 62 feet is that's technically the top of the building, but 662 01:01:19,920 --> 01:01:25,680 technically it's occupied space under the zoning, which is brings us down a 663 01:01:23,760 --> 01:01:30,720 couple more feet to what we'd actually be requesting. So we need 60 feet of 664 01:01:28,640 --> 01:01:36,079 zoning and 62 feet in reality. I'm not sure if that how that is exactly if that 665 01:01:32,640 --> 01:01:40,559 makes any sense to you. Um, so that really explains Oh, one more. Go back. 666 01:01:39,359 --> 01:01:46,079 Um, what are we missing? >> I just wanted to 667 01:01:42,319 --> 01:01:48,400 » for clarity, the building is 50 ft high. >> Yep. 668 01:01:46,559 --> 01:01:52,880 » There is a very small elevator shaft and stair 669 01:01:51,040 --> 01:01:58,799 tower that would extend an additional 10 feet above that 50 ft. We could probably 670 01:01:55,920 --> 01:02:02,720 get four stories in the 40t requirement, but we would rather have a product 671 01:02:00,400 --> 01:02:07,359 that's got a 10 foot ceiling than an 8 foot ceiling. We feel like that's a 672 01:02:04,240 --> 01:02:12,559 better quality product. Feel like that's better all all around and in keeping 673 01:02:09,599 --> 01:02:14,880 with the other products and other buildings in the corridor as Mark 674 01:02:14,480 --> 01:02:17,599 mentioned. >> Yeah. 675 01:02:15,200 --> 01:02:21,440 » So, we're not asking for a 62 foot building, but the way the zoning code is 676 01:02:19,680 --> 01:02:25,839 written, you still need a variance to accommodate that elevator shaft and 677 01:02:23,359 --> 01:02:28,160 stair tower. to clarify that because I'm wondering where the extra 10 feet was 678 01:02:27,200 --> 01:02:31,040 coming [laughter] from. Okay, >> thank you. Well, 679 01:02:29,040 --> 01:02:35,599 » so and as Mark was saying, building K, the silk mill is 73 feet. This building 680 01:02:33,680 --> 01:02:43,073 would be 50. >> If I may though, just clarify because 681 01:02:37,760 --> 01:02:43,073 I'm not quite clear now. [laughter] 682 01:02:44,319 --> 01:02:53,280 » The amenity on the roof >> presumably will be fenced in or or 683 01:02:51,040 --> 01:02:56,400 enclosed so nobody falls off the roof. No, 684 01:02:53,599 --> 01:03:00,720 » no, it'll have a fence, but the So, you imagine the building is 50 feet high to 685 01:02:58,400 --> 01:03:05,599 the to the top of the parapit, let's say. Okay. And then 686 01:03:02,559 --> 01:03:09,839 » 10 more feet for an elevator shaft and stair shaft for people to get in and out 687 01:03:07,280 --> 01:03:14,319 of that area. Then around that will just be open space with railings. 688 01:03:12,799 --> 01:03:18,160 » Well, that's what I'm saying. It will it will be enclosed with railings 689 01:03:16,400 --> 01:03:21,359 » with Oh, yes. With I'm sorry. Yes, we're saying the same thing. 690 01:03:18,960 --> 01:03:26,640 » Roof deck will not be the entirety of the roof. There's only one entrance, an 691 01:03:25,039 --> 01:03:30,400 egress to the roof deck. We're limited to, I think, 750 square feet. 692 01:03:28,240 --> 01:03:33,680 » We're only It's the 750T is the limit, >> which is a very small portion of the 693 01:03:31,680 --> 01:03:35,920 roof. So, that area will be enclosed by some kind of fencing or railing. 694 01:03:35,520 --> 01:03:38,880 » Right. >> Right. 695 01:03:36,640 --> 01:03:41,200 » I was hoping otherwise, >> but it would probably be 696 01:03:40,079 --> 01:03:44,000 » We don't want anyone to fall off clearly. 697 01:03:41,680 --> 01:03:47,520 » It would likely be centrally located in the center of the roof structure. So, it 698 01:03:45,760 --> 01:03:53,119 wouldn't necessarily be on an edge. >> That's what I'm trying to establish. So 699 01:03:50,799 --> 01:03:58,240 it will be set back so that from the street it will appear as a 50-foot 700 01:03:56,079 --> 01:04:02,880 building not a 60ft building. >> That is correct. Other than the stair 701 01:04:00,079 --> 01:04:05,280 tower and elevator exact small block. >> Okay. 702 01:04:03,280 --> 01:04:07,920 » Which I'm not sure if you can see in the you Yeah, you can see it. 703 01:04:06,559 --> 01:04:10,880 » You can just barely see it. And we're going to paint it a different color, a 704 01:04:09,119 --> 01:04:14,559 lighter color so that it disappears into the clouds there to the right above the 705 01:04:12,880 --> 01:04:17,119 tree. >> You'll see the stair tower. 706 01:04:16,799 --> 01:04:20,960 » See it? >> Okay. Well, there you go. Perfect. 707 01:04:18,720 --> 01:04:22,799 That's the idea. painted. >> No. 708 01:04:21,280 --> 01:04:25,440 » Yeah. Well, we'll paint it a lighter color. You know, a lot of I was 709 01:04:24,160 --> 01:04:28,720 discussing with Dwayne this morning. We were discussing the aesthetics of the 710 01:04:26,480 --> 01:04:32,160 building. You can do things to change the appearance. Like next door, they it 711 01:04:30,880 --> 01:04:36,319 appears to be five stories, but then they made the other stories a different 712 01:04:33,280 --> 01:04:42,000 color to change the appearance to help mitigate the height. 713 01:04:39,599 --> 01:04:44,400 » Very good. Okay. Oh. Uh 714 01:04:43,520 --> 01:04:47,520 » just another view. >> Another view. Okay. Again, we're going 715 01:04:45,920 --> 01:04:52,160 to be doing the shell of the building. All right. Um Okay. Okay, next variance, 716 01:04:49,839 --> 01:04:56,960 street trees. So, this is again to what we feel is 717 01:04:55,359 --> 01:05:02,160 helping the trail and also the public and the corridor. Um, we hope everyone 718 01:04:59,680 --> 01:05:05,839 will eventually see it that way. Um, so we uh we're looking for ways to first 719 01:05:04,319 --> 01:05:09,119 off calm the traffic. You know, you get zooming down Bushkill, it's not 720 01:05:07,440 --> 01:05:14,880 considered really a residential street right now and uh people get cooking and 721 01:05:11,520 --> 01:05:20,799 and you know, they go right by. So doing on street parking 722 01:05:17,359 --> 01:05:24,880 is absolutely a traffic calming scenario and so that's first why we came up with 723 01:05:22,480 --> 01:05:29,520 it. Then of course now with the trail involved the trail would like parking 724 01:05:27,520 --> 01:05:32,480 for the amenity of the trail and you know at the silt mill even though it's 725 01:05:31,039 --> 01:05:35,760 private parking and we've had to put up signs and especially a few years ago 726 01:05:33,680 --> 01:05:39,280 when there was all that those problems down at the at the soap mill with people 727 01:05:37,920 --> 01:05:42,319 coming from New York and parking it became a problem. So, we would have to 728 01:05:40,720 --> 01:05:46,960 sign it, which would mean that technically anyone who wants to use the 729 01:05:44,160 --> 01:05:50,880 trail would have to park on the street and then walk AC walk down to the end of 730 01:05:49,599 --> 01:05:56,559 the property and into the new bridge that's being erected in that location. 731 01:05:53,359 --> 01:06:00,400 Um, so the street parking is the best parking for people to come and use the 732 01:05:58,960 --> 01:06:04,240 trail. Of course, people probably going to park in the lot like they do at the 733 01:06:01,680 --> 01:06:07,680 silt mill, but we thought that the, you know, the parking is important. The 734 01:06:06,480 --> 01:06:13,520 reason that's important to the street trees is we were unable um between the 735 01:06:11,200 --> 01:06:17,520 fat parking the the on street parking and also the fact if you'll look 736 01:06:15,599 --> 01:06:23,440 actually go back a slide if you could two slides actually no that's good go 737 01:06:19,760 --> 01:06:28,640 one more notice that the super high voltage power lines run above the uh 738 01:06:27,280 --> 01:06:32,240 next to the building up above the building so they're actually taller than 739 01:06:29,760 --> 01:06:35,839 the building um so we've had to pick trees that um you know will grow to a 740 01:06:34,480 --> 01:06:39,920 certain height or they're going to topped as it is. And so we've just been 741 01:06:38,079 --> 01:06:44,640 sensitive to having too many trees are going to get topped at some point. We 742 01:06:42,559 --> 01:06:47,599 also want to mention that besides, you know, mitigating this with some bushes 743 01:06:46,319 --> 01:06:51,920 because they're not going to grow as high or be difficult. We also have a 744 01:06:50,079 --> 01:06:56,720 great many trees being planted on this site, especially on the south side, 745 01:06:53,920 --> 01:07:02,480 hundreds and hundreds of trees are being planted in the buffer between the 746 01:06:59,440 --> 01:07:07,839 building and the stream as per our NPDS permit. So we're looking at like two or 747 01:07:04,960 --> 01:07:11,920 300 trees. So we are not having a lot of street trees. Um and there are though 748 01:07:09,920 --> 01:07:15,680 just inside if you go back. Yep. See if you'll notice only those three street 749 01:07:13,520 --> 01:07:20,000 trees are actual street trees under the designation street trees. But we've 750 01:07:17,760 --> 01:07:25,599 highlighted the trees that we're planting elsewhere that are directly 751 01:07:22,720 --> 01:07:28,640 within 10 ft of the street tree area just on the other side of the sidewalk 752 01:07:27,200 --> 01:07:33,200 so that you guys can get a better idea of the fact we are planting hundreds of 753 01:07:30,480 --> 01:07:38,799 trees on the site. Uh again, not even really the zoning ordinance is per the 754 01:07:35,280 --> 01:07:41,920 NPDS permit. Any questions on 755 01:07:40,319 --> 01:07:47,359 » any questions from the board? >> That. Okay. So, that's our thoughts on 756 01:07:44,240 --> 01:07:50,480 street trees. Uh and then our last is hopefully a simple one with this 757 01:07:48,880 --> 01:07:56,640 project. So to have the proper two-way um street 758 01:07:54,799 --> 01:08:00,799 uh I should say parking uh you know exits and ex emergency vehicles all the 759 01:07:59,280 --> 01:08:04,559 things that are important to get in and out of a site of this size um on this 760 01:08:03,280 --> 01:08:08,240 side of the street and not on the other side of the street different zoning 761 01:08:05,760 --> 01:08:12,480 corridor. Um we're not allowed to have driveways that are more than 10 ft. Uh 762 01:08:10,400 --> 01:08:17,600 and in this case we're requesting 24 ft which is a standard full size two-way 763 01:08:14,559 --> 01:08:21,520 driveway. uh especially important uh at the west end of the site where we're 764 01:08:19,839 --> 01:08:25,120 actually going to create an intersection where we're going to have uh crosswalks. 765 01:08:23,600 --> 01:08:29,600 Actually, the planning commission requested us do a proper designated 766 01:08:27,440 --> 01:08:34,000 crosswalk, you know, a proper pend one so that people can from both sides of 767 01:08:31,679 --> 01:08:38,239 the site can share, you know, and get over to the trail and and so on and so 768 01:08:35,920 --> 01:08:43,520 forth. So, we're requesting two driveway entrances that are 24 ft for emergency 769 01:08:40,640 --> 01:08:48,080 traffic and for pedestrian and our use as well as probably public use whether 770 01:08:45,759 --> 01:08:51,120 we like it or not. So, 771 01:08:49,600 --> 01:08:55,359 that's it. Just those three variances. There was some discussion um which we 772 01:08:53,120 --> 01:08:58,960 got a little confused. There was plan review had gotten a little messed up and 773 01:08:57,279 --> 01:09:02,799 so it came out that we had like 10 variances. These are really when we went 774 01:09:01,040 --> 01:09:06,960 back and got it organized. It's just these three for anyone who's wondering. 775 01:09:05,359 --> 01:09:12,080 » Okay. Thank you. Any questions from the board? 776 01:09:09,920 --> 01:09:18,960 All right. Then I'll take questions from the audience that were sworn in and 777 01:09:15,440 --> 01:09:23,279 particularly that is for these uh for the one special exception and for the 778 01:09:21,359 --> 01:09:29,880 three variances. That's where your question should be or 779 01:09:25,520 --> 01:09:29,880 comment should be geared to. 780 01:09:34,080 --> 01:09:38,679 right now. Can't I mean it's only this. 781 01:09:45,359 --> 01:09:50,319 » If you give your name, address for the record, please. 782 01:09:47,679 --> 01:09:56,159 » Hi, my name is Jennifer Talerico. T A L A R I O. I'm at 406 West Burke, East End 783 01:09:54,640 --> 01:10:00,400 18042. Um, I just had a question uh based on 784 01:09:59,120 --> 01:10:04,640 the the drawings that have been distributed about the previously 785 01:10:02,000 --> 01:10:07,440 distributed plan and the current plan. I'm not actually technically sure if 786 01:10:06,000 --> 01:10:12,480 it's part of the existing variance discussion about the parking lot 787 01:10:10,400 --> 01:10:18,719 underneath and and its relation to the flood zone. So, I understand the uh it 788 01:10:16,400 --> 01:10:22,239 was simply the storm water adjustment that was in the 100-year flood zone and 789 01:10:20,320 --> 01:10:27,840 that has already been adjusted. Is it the case that the current plan being 790 01:10:25,440 --> 01:10:32,400 suggested is consistent with the prior distributed plan um in terms of the 791 01:10:30,000 --> 01:10:38,480 impervious surface allocated to parking on this side of the Bushko corridor? 792 01:10:35,760 --> 01:10:41,199 » We have a plan for you. One second. >> No, Mark, I don't think that was her 793 01:10:39,679 --> 01:10:45,199 question. She's asking if this plan has changed from the previous plan. 794 01:10:43,120 --> 01:10:48,239 » Correct. In terms of in terms of the parking just that 795 01:10:46,480 --> 01:10:51,520 » it has not, but if you'd like to I mean if we can share with you the 796 01:10:50,080 --> 01:10:54,560 » It has not. It is not. It has not changed. Okay. So, and and we're fully 797 01:10:53,120 --> 01:10:58,640 in compliance. There was some confusion and we're well under the impervious 798 01:10:56,880 --> 01:11:03,600 coverage compliance that's required. >> Great. Thank you so much. And I just 799 01:11:00,719 --> 01:11:07,920 want to also go on record. My questions or or concerns that you may hear later 800 01:11:05,440 --> 01:11:12,000 have nothing to do with the facade. So, >> no problem. Thank you. 801 01:11:08,960 --> 01:11:14,880 » Thank you. Anyone else? >> Oh, 802 01:11:13,199 --> 01:11:18,239 » hi. I'm Jim Toya. I'm the executive director of the Carl Sterner Arch Trail. 803 01:11:16,640 --> 01:11:23,199 » I'm sorry. Sorry. Your name again? >> Jim Toya. T O I A. 804 01:11:21,920 --> 01:11:27,280 » Thank you. >> And your address, sir? 805 01:11:24,560 --> 01:11:30,560 » Uh 238 Beacon Hill Road in Califon, New Jersey. 806 01:11:30,159 --> 01:11:36,560 » Thank you. >> I teach at Lafayette College as well. So 807 01:11:34,320 --> 01:11:40,400 very often here in Easton and feel like I live here more than I do in New 808 01:11:38,320 --> 01:11:45,199 Jersey. So, um, first of all, I just want to say, um, we're very happy to 809 01:11:43,679 --> 01:11:51,199 have VM development and Silk Mill as a 810 01:11:48,239 --> 01:11:56,800 stakeholder and and, uh, people who have been working with the Arts Trail for 811 01:11:52,880 --> 01:12:01,440 the, uh, 15 16 years that we've actually been in existence and they have 812 01:11:59,119 --> 01:12:05,760 [clears throat] done a lot of work with us to help us install artwork. Um, 813 01:12:04,320 --> 01:12:10,480 they're great neighbors and we really appreciate that. Um, and I'm very 814 01:12:08,800 --> 01:12:17,280 excited. We're very excited about having the opportunity to be uh on the um not 815 01:12:15,440 --> 01:12:23,760 really a commercial building, but but the pre the have presence uh on the 816 01:12:20,800 --> 01:12:27,199 south side of Bushkill Drive there at the foundry. Very excited about that. 817 01:12:26,000 --> 01:12:31,360 So, thank you guys for what you've been able to do so far and we look forward to 818 01:12:29,120 --> 01:12:36,239 that in the future. One, my one question is about the trees. 819 01:12:34,080 --> 01:12:41,920 » So, I'm all for trees. We're an arts trail that's surrounded by art uh and 820 01:12:39,040 --> 01:12:45,440 nature and we we uh rely on the natural side of that. I just want to make sure 821 01:12:43,440 --> 01:12:48,560 there's going to be enough room for the artwork with the trees. That's a lot of 822 01:12:48,000 --> 01:12:52,719 trees. >> I agree. Um so that's something when we 823 01:12:50,880 --> 01:12:56,480 get into actually the trail design with the city. We're going to need to that's 824 01:12:54,239 --> 01:13:01,280 in after this phase, but we are going to need to figure there's a lot of trees 825 01:12:58,320 --> 01:13:06,640 required by NTP and we've actually went for a waiver, right, Brandon? We've they 826 01:13:03,280 --> 01:13:11,199 wanted like 700 trees and we were like that's they there would be nothing so 827 01:13:08,880 --> 01:13:14,320 other than trees every like two feet. So they've agreed that that's kind of 828 01:13:12,480 --> 01:13:17,520 crazy. So we are I mean that's something you should definitely soon we need to 829 01:13:16,159 --> 01:13:20,480 get to. Yeah. You probably heard that tonight and welcome back. But just 830 01:13:19,280 --> 01:13:22,560 saying yeah we're going to need to sort that out so that the trail can 831 01:13:21,440 --> 01:13:25,440 interweave. You know we've talked about this for years. Yeah absolutely. We'll 832 01:13:24,719 --> 01:13:28,400 figure it out. Don't worry. >> I know. I just wanted to 833 01:13:27,760 --> 01:13:30,560 fair enough. Okay. >> Thank you very much. 834 01:13:29,199 --> 01:13:34,805 » Thank you. >> Anyone else? 835 01:13:32,785 --> 01:13:34,805 » [snorts] 836 01:13:43,600 --> 01:13:52,239 » My name is Bruce McCutchen. Live at 619 West Lafayette Street. I'm 837 01:13:50,080 --> 01:13:57,320 also president of the Forceville Chapter Trait. 838 01:13:53,920 --> 01:13:57,320 Am I 839 01:13:57,920 --> 01:14:05,920 I understand that the storm water piece in the the flood zone is going to be 840 01:14:04,960 --> 01:14:12,400 moved. >> That's correct. 841 01:14:08,159 --> 01:14:18,800 » Is there is there public record of your application and and 842 01:14:15,440 --> 01:14:22,159 for storm water management? >> Absolutely. Right. 843 01:14:20,640 --> 01:14:27,440 » Yeah. Absolutely. >> So um one, it's going through the MPDS 844 01:14:25,600 --> 01:14:31,920 process. So that it's an actually an individual permit that is going through 845 01:14:29,280 --> 01:14:37,760 the county conservation district. And just to give you an idea, we're right 846 01:14:34,000 --> 01:14:42,880 now in technical review comments. So um >> so that permit has not been issued yet. 847 01:14:39,920 --> 01:14:47,760 » It's it is we are addressing a few minor comments that have come out. Um nothing 848 01:14:45,360 --> 01:14:53,840 really to the to the degree on storm water. was more um some minor items of 849 01:14:51,520 --> 01:14:59,040 like addressing sizing of mulch sock and and rip wrap sizing that kind of 850 01:14:56,000 --> 01:15:05,679 » Okay. But question remains observed >> there is an over that 851 01:15:00,960 --> 01:15:10,640 » um it is submitted into um planning as well. Um a copy of it submitted in 852 01:15:08,640 --> 01:15:14,320 through the planning department. Um but yeah, the permit for it would come 853 01:15:12,400 --> 01:15:20,000 through the conservation district. >> Okay. The um certainly 854 01:15:18,000 --> 01:15:24,400 As far as the Bushkill stream is concerned, 855 01:15:21,760 --> 01:15:29,280 not having a scrap metal plant there anymore is a good thing. 856 01:15:26,640 --> 01:15:32,320 » Um, but we're very concerned about what comes down. We want to see improvement, 857 01:15:31,840 --> 01:15:36,159 » correct, >> for our beautiful stream, not 858 01:15:34,719 --> 01:15:40,239 » a detriment to it. >> Yeah. And and 859 01:15:38,320 --> 01:15:43,360 that would be nice to see what's actually going to happen. 860 01:15:41,360 --> 01:15:47,679 » Yeah. And that's that's that was the approach whenever going through the 861 01:15:45,040 --> 01:15:54,400 design. Um, Of course, with the state regulations, no matter what is a uh 862 01:15:50,159 --> 01:15:57,280 meeting or reducing um discharge volume and and peak flows and and we make sure 863 01:15:56,719 --> 01:16:03,600 to do that. >> Are there retaining 864 01:16:00,560 --> 01:16:09,120 pools associated with this complex? >> Um no, there isn't. Um basically, and 865 01:16:07,520 --> 01:16:11,920 this maybe is getting outside of the purview of the the zoning. 866 01:16:10,640 --> 01:16:14,480 » Yeah, this is really a planning. >> All that runoff is just headed right to 867 01:16:13,760 --> 01:16:18,800 the street. >> Uh it's 868 01:16:16,880 --> 01:16:24,560 No, it's actually being while it's being collected in the storm system that 869 01:16:20,880 --> 01:16:28,880 that's there and uh I'm not exactly sure if this is this is 870 01:16:26,640 --> 01:16:34,239 a again if that's a planning question or a zoning question 871 01:16:31,600 --> 01:16:38,239 but yeah I mean we we're so we're um going to be discussing this in front of 872 01:16:36,080 --> 01:16:41,600 plan again probably October 7th is what we're guessing and that's when although 873 01:16:40,000 --> 01:16:46,480 between now and then you're more than you should go to you know and get a copy 874 01:16:43,760 --> 01:16:52,400 of the what we've submitted I mean, but everything meets the requirement from 875 01:16:49,280 --> 01:16:57,120 not just the local county conservation district, but also this had to be 876 01:16:53,840 --> 01:17:01,280 reviewed by, you know, by pad. So, we're we're meeting all the requirements. So, 877 01:16:59,679 --> 01:17:05,120 again, planting all the trees, which of course now Jim is concerned about, etc. 878 01:17:03,440 --> 01:17:08,800 But yes, we're trying. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you very much. 879 01:17:06,800 --> 01:17:12,199 » Thank you. >> Anyone else? 880 01:17:22,080 --> 01:17:25,239 That's awesome. 881 01:18:00,080 --> 01:18:06,640 Attorney Harding, are you do you have a thumb drive to give to the secretary 882 01:18:05,120 --> 01:18:12,239 what you're going to be using. >> Um, 883 01:18:08,480 --> 01:18:18,640 I don't, but I can provide it. These are not I'm not submitting these 884 01:18:13,520 --> 01:18:21,679 as exhibits or record. They're just for reference. 885 01:18:20,000 --> 01:18:24,880 » Okay. >> If there's an objection or anything. 886 01:18:23,040 --> 01:18:28,640 » Yeah. No, if you're not submitting them, >> I actually was gonna let Kurt speak 887 01:18:26,400 --> 01:18:31,800 first because I think it's important why we're here. 888 01:18:33,600 --> 01:18:43,360 So, uh, Kurt Elely, 305 West Monroe Street in Easton, 889 01:18:40,239 --> 01:18:49,760 concerned resident. I'm going to ask permission to distribute a a copy of the 890 01:18:46,719 --> 01:18:55,199 East City Code sections on zoning variances 891 01:18:51,280 --> 01:18:58,320 and special exception review. Um, >> you're welcome to, but the board is 892 01:18:56,960 --> 01:19:01,679 intimately familiar with >> Oh, I know you are. 893 01:19:00,159 --> 01:19:06,360 40 C and 40D >> but I'll be sharing to all of you. 894 01:19:27,760 --> 01:19:32,719 » Yeah. Yeah, we the whole book. Yeah. 895 01:19:32,320 --> 01:19:40,640 » So, >> right, for the for for for the record, 896 01:19:36,080 --> 01:19:46,960 what has been handed to us by Mr. Eli is ostensively a reproduction of uh because 897 01:19:44,960 --> 01:19:56,080 it doesn't look like a photo copy. So, a reproduction of uh section 595-40D 898 01:19:52,480 --> 01:20:02,520 of the Eastn Zoning Ordinance, chapter 298, Floodplane Management, section 899 01:19:59,520 --> 01:20:02,520 298-18G, 900 01:20:02,640 --> 01:20:10,880 and section 595-40, although it's not marked as such, it is 901 01:20:07,280 --> 01:20:17,320 section 40, subsection C relative to special exceptions, which I will mark as 902 01:20:13,600 --> 01:20:17,320 exhibit 01. 903 01:20:19,679 --> 01:20:24,440 Thank you. Thank you very much. Um, 904 01:20:25,440 --> 01:20:31,199 I'd really love to read it, but I'm not going to do that. I'm going to assume 905 01:20:28,960 --> 01:20:40,080 that you are reading it and well aware of what it says. But the bottom line is 906 01:20:36,080 --> 01:20:46,080 a variance requires that there be specific issues about the property. got 907 01:20:43,840 --> 01:20:52,560 nothing to do whatsoever with whatever the applicant wants to do with the 908 01:20:49,280 --> 01:20:58,640 property. It's not about a hardship to the applicant. Uh we want our plan to 909 01:20:55,520 --> 01:21:04,640 have an extra five feet for this purpose or six feet for that. It's got to do 910 01:21:01,440 --> 01:21:13,360 with whether or not that property can be developed within the code or not. And 911 01:21:08,719 --> 01:21:19,440 this ha this property has a huge number of uses 912 01:21:15,440 --> 01:21:25,920 and certainly plenty of opportunity to be developed in the way that they 913 01:21:21,440 --> 01:21:32,880 would like without seeking a variance. And I'm I'm very concerned about that 914 01:21:29,520 --> 01:21:39,360 process that allows for variances to occur or variances being granted when 915 01:21:36,960 --> 01:21:45,040 really they're the hardship of the applicant and absolutely not any 916 01:21:42,320 --> 01:21:51,679 hardship or problem with the site or property itself. This isn't just the law 917 01:21:48,560 --> 01:21:57,440 as it appears in our code, but it is virtually a quote of his of what appears 918 01:21:54,960 --> 01:22:04,560 in the municipalities planning code for the state of Pennsylvania. It's 919 01:21:59,920 --> 01:22:12,400 directed. It is the law. And my I'm here just to ask if we could please follow 920 01:22:07,840 --> 01:22:17,520 the law and not grant these variances for whatever the reason. They're in 921 01:22:14,880 --> 01:22:24,320 there. They're meant to be in this particular zone 922 01:22:20,000 --> 01:22:32,000 and we ask that you you uh allow for them to actually be the law of the zone. 923 01:22:27,679 --> 01:22:38,280 Please don't allow those variances. Thank you. 924 01:22:35,120 --> 01:22:38,280 Go ahead. 925 01:22:40,080 --> 01:22:45,679 » Um, I would just simply say that since we've been doing this for 15 years and 926 01:22:43,840 --> 01:22:50,480 we've come before your board for many variances, 927 01:22:47,360 --> 01:22:55,920 um, that the Silk Mill, if not granted special exceptions or variances, would 928 01:22:53,280 --> 01:22:59,280 never have been redeveloped. Simple. 929 01:22:58,880 --> 01:23:02,560 » Thank you. >> It's It's great. We're not here to talk 930 01:23:00,880 --> 01:23:07,120 about the silk mill. This is We're here to talk about a very different which has 931 01:23:04,560 --> 01:23:11,840 plenty of potential. Thank you, Kurt. Um, so my name is Cody Harding. Many of 932 01:23:09,199 --> 01:23:16,159 you know me. Uh, I live at 410 North 10th Street. Uh, I measured it today. 933 01:23:13,920 --> 01:23:24,080 It's approximately 1,800 feet from this site. Um, I think we should revisit 934 01:23:20,320 --> 01:23:28,239 Bruce's question about flood. Uh, sorry, I think it was Solicitor Nichki's 935 01:23:26,239 --> 01:23:34,480 initial question about whether or not this parcel is in the flood zone. And I 936 01:23:31,760 --> 01:23:38,639 know there's a Mark, Mr. Mulligan has told us not to 937 01:23:37,120 --> 01:23:42,320 worry about it. We're moving the drainage facilities from the flood zone, 938 01:23:40,719 --> 01:23:48,560 but I think it is very important to note that the parcel is in the FEMA 939 01:23:45,360 --> 01:23:55,040 designated flood zone. The parcel line extends into the Bushkill Creek and 940 01:23:51,760 --> 01:24:02,080 clearly is in the blue zone AE, which is the this is FEMA's flood hazard map. 941 01:23:59,520 --> 01:24:06,320 And so the question was not is your construction in the flood zone, is your 942 01:24:04,719 --> 01:24:09,760 building in the flood zone, is your project zone that you've designated on 943 01:24:08,239 --> 01:24:14,400 your plans in the flood zone. The question is, is the parcel and 944 01:24:12,000 --> 01:24:19,840 consequently the storm water runoff in the flood zone? And it is undeniable 945 01:24:16,960 --> 01:24:25,440 that this parcel on the south side of Bushkill Drive is in the flood zone. And 946 01:24:22,560 --> 01:24:30,480 consequently, it is our position that because the flood provisions and also 947 01:24:28,159 --> 01:24:34,800 storm water provisions of the city code have not been considered, this 948 01:24:32,480 --> 01:24:40,400 application is not ripe for presentation to the zoning board. There's a litany of 949 01:24:38,400 --> 01:24:46,639 requirements that we all spent last year reviewing that need to be met before it 950 01:24:44,080 --> 01:24:50,480 can be presented for zoning, including I know D was involved in the remediation 951 01:24:48,800 --> 01:24:58,000 of the site and reviewing it. I'm not sure that they've completed 102 and 105 952 01:24:53,440 --> 01:25:04,480 permits. I could be mistaken. But we also were told that uh Mr. McCutchen 953 01:25:01,600 --> 01:25:09,280 from the uh Trout Unlimited asked about what was happening with the storm water 954 01:25:06,480 --> 01:25:13,040 and we saw the applicant sort of stumble through their answer. We all know if you 955 01:25:11,199 --> 01:25:17,520 look at their plans, the storm water is going to be channeled 956 01:25:15,360 --> 01:25:22,960 from the north side of the property across Bushkill Drive into one facility 957 01:25:20,159 --> 01:25:25,960 which will run all the way down into the Bushkill. 958 01:25:26,239 --> 01:25:33,760 They also would need a permit for the crossing of that storm water across the 959 01:25:31,520 --> 01:25:37,520 state road. Bushkill Drive is state road 2019. 960 01:25:35,280 --> 01:25:44,400 I have seen no evidence that that's been accomplished and numerous other 961 01:25:41,520 --> 01:25:48,560 requirements for this to be presented because it's in the flood zone. And so 962 01:25:46,080 --> 01:25:52,880 it's my position I certainly isn't the only problem I have with this project, 963 01:25:50,320 --> 01:25:57,679 but it's the primary one is that because the flood zone has been sort of talked 964 01:25:54,719 --> 01:26:01,600 around and ignored. We can even look at here's the close. Now, we're being told 965 01:25:59,280 --> 01:26:06,639 that this moved. This is being moved. But the flood zone is this squiggly 966 01:26:04,400 --> 01:26:12,080 little line there. You can see it at the bottom. It says FEMA flood zone. This is 967 01:26:09,360 --> 01:26:21,719 from the developer's own plan. Project boundary is an irrelevant sort of uh you 968 01:26:16,400 --> 01:26:21,719 know to marker that they created. 969 01:26:27,920 --> 01:26:33,199 So I we can talk about some other things, but I think the zoning hearing 970 01:26:31,679 --> 01:26:37,600 board needs to be considering this as the primary concern and that this 971 01:26:35,440 --> 01:26:41,440 application should be deferred until they resolve all the 972 01:26:38,880 --> 01:26:46,880 » that's not our that's not what we're we we are here to see to to hear what's in 973 01:26:44,000 --> 01:26:51,120 front of us right now. That's beyond our scope. 974 01:26:48,239 --> 01:26:54,880 Your scope is to enforce the zoning provisions of the code. 975 01:26:52,639 --> 01:26:58,320 » Correct. What's in front of us right now? What's in front of us right now is 976 01:26:57,360 --> 01:27:02,320 not what you're talking about. >> It is incomplete. 977 01:26:59,920 --> 01:27:05,679 » That's your opinion. >> It is not my opinion that it's in the 978 01:27:03,840 --> 01:27:08,679 flood zone. It is in the flood zone. >> Okay. 979 01:27:09,580 --> 01:27:11,600 » [clears throat] 980 01:27:16,239 --> 01:27:19,480 » I mean, 981 01:27:20,719 --> 01:27:27,360 I don't want to I clearly we respectfully disagree, but I do think 982 01:27:24,719 --> 01:27:31,840 that the flood provisions need to be discussed 983 01:27:28,960 --> 01:27:35,360 and if it's the it is up to the zoning board to 984 01:27:33,520 --> 01:27:39,679 scrutinize those provisions and >> Mr. Niski, is it up to us to do that? 985 01:27:37,280 --> 01:27:44,560 » Well, let me let me [clears throat] Let me ask you this, Attorney Harding. 986 01:27:42,719 --> 01:27:48,960 Referring to what you have on the screen right now, 29818A, no varian shall be 987 01:27:47,360 --> 01:27:53,280 granted for any construction development use activity within the floodway area 988 01:27:51,280 --> 01:27:57,360 district that would cause any increase in the BFE, which of course is the base 989 01:27:55,440 --> 01:28:05,360 flood elevation. Um, do you have any belief that what is 990 01:28:01,520 --> 01:28:10,400 being proposed will cause any increase? Uh and then ultimately I would ask the 991 01:28:08,480 --> 01:28:16,320 three individuals sitting at the appellence table uh if that has been 992 01:28:13,520 --> 01:28:21,440 addressed and discussed with planning and durate when with the city during the 993 01:28:18,320 --> 01:28:25,120 planning of this project. I I I think that that's a great question 994 01:28:23,440 --> 01:28:28,320 and I think that's a question that I was interested in asking and so you're 995 01:28:26,800 --> 01:28:32,639 asking that for me and I'm happy to move on and leave that question on the table 996 01:28:30,480 --> 01:28:35,520 to be answered later. I think for the sake of everyone's time, I'd like to 997 01:28:34,000 --> 01:28:42,960 just move on to one other point. >> Okay. So, so my question to you would be 998 01:28:38,960 --> 01:28:46,080 a no. You don't have any belief or any reason to believe that there would be 999 01:28:44,719 --> 01:28:48,960 any increase in the base flood elevation? 1000 01:28:46,560 --> 01:28:53,280 » I I would I I don't have any scientific evidence 1001 01:28:52,480 --> 01:28:55,440 of that. Yeah. >> And it's only 1002 01:28:53,920 --> 01:28:59,840 » I didn't know I that's why I was asking. I didn't know if you did or not. All I'm 1003 01:28:57,040 --> 01:29:04,560 presenting is that regardless of the representations of the 1004 01:29:01,920 --> 01:29:10,560 applicant, the flood provisions are invoked because this parcel is in the 1005 01:29:07,920 --> 01:29:15,760 FEMA designated flood zone and therefore provisions such as 298-18 1006 01:29:13,440 --> 01:29:20,800 should be considered. I am not an expert who should be making the sort of 1007 01:29:17,199 --> 01:29:26,400 assessment, but it's my analysis that this has all been ignored. 1008 01:29:22,880 --> 01:29:31,600 Might I suggest that we have these three individuals address this now while 1009 01:29:29,280 --> 01:29:36,719 you're at the podium so that you don't have to come back up when they do 1010 01:29:33,760 --> 01:29:41,520 address it in case you want to ask questions of them. 1011 01:29:39,760 --> 01:29:45,600 I I assume they're going to tell me not to worry about it, but I don't see any 1012 01:29:43,040 --> 01:29:48,960 reports available. Um >> well, let's not assume. Let's hear from 1013 01:29:47,600 --> 01:29:56,400 them. >> So, yeah. Um again to cover what was 1014 01:29:53,280 --> 01:30:01,120 previously stated um we did look at actually pulling the outlet for the 1015 01:29:58,560 --> 01:30:05,520 storm water. Um there's actually a hydrodnamic separator inlet what 1016 01:30:03,040 --> 01:30:09,520 actually improves water quality for Bushkill Creek from any of the collected 1017 01:30:07,600 --> 01:30:15,600 runoff that is going to the storm system. Um, but we've we've uh looked at 1018 01:30:13,280 --> 01:30:20,480 that from a previous comment that was received through uh planning and we're 1019 01:30:18,400 --> 01:30:26,719 going to be able to adjust that back. So that is on the record here that we'll be 1020 01:30:23,199 --> 01:30:33,120 able to um eliminate that disturbance within the 100red-year flood plan um I'm 1021 01:30:29,679 --> 01:30:38,719 sorry the 100red-year flood zone AE as depicted on the drawing that is from the 1022 01:30:35,280 --> 01:30:43,920 FEMA map that is imported in through uh you know FEMA's [snorts] uh online web 1023 01:30:41,679 --> 01:30:49,040 service that you know you get that shape file from them. So that's actually where 1024 01:30:46,400 --> 01:30:55,280 it's supposed to be. Um, as far as storm water um, reduction quality, all those 1025 01:30:52,800 --> 01:30:58,880 items, those are being addressed again through the 102 process that is 1026 01:30:57,360 --> 01:31:06,639 submitted through the county conservation district. Um, for us to get 1027 01:31:02,159 --> 01:31:12,480 approval is a reduction in um, peak discharge, reduction of volume and 1028 01:31:10,080 --> 01:31:17,760 through increase of water quality. And because it is an individual permit, we 1029 01:31:14,800 --> 01:31:23,920 have to meet all three of those. and we have shown to the conservation district 1030 01:31:21,120 --> 01:31:34,159 that we do meet that criteria um through this pro for this project. Um and so uh 1031 01:31:28,800 --> 01:31:39,760 so a uh effect would be a reduction in the discharge amount to Bushkill Creek 1032 01:31:37,520 --> 01:31:45,360 during the peak design storms. not to get too technical in it, but you analyze 1033 01:31:41,520 --> 01:31:49,600 certain key design storms and look for a a reduction in volume and in uh peak 1034 01:31:48,960 --> 01:31:52,719 flow. >> So, and I don't want to put words in 1035 01:31:51,120 --> 01:31:58,159 your mouth, but just trying to interpret what you just said. Um, is it my 1036 01:31:55,520 --> 01:32:03,760 understanding that you're saying that um, this development as it's being 1037 01:32:01,520 --> 01:32:08,560 proposed with the system you're talking about installing will actually decrease 1038 01:32:06,639 --> 01:32:14,320 the base flood elevation instead of increasing it? Correct. 1039 01:32:10,719 --> 01:32:22,000 And is there to answer uh attorney Harding's question, is there um a a 1040 01:32:18,880 --> 01:32:26,320 report or or a study or something of record that establishes that with and 1041 01:32:24,480 --> 01:32:30,000 and if so with whom? >> Yes. Uh there is a post construction 1042 01:32:28,080 --> 01:32:35,600 storm water management plan and calculations that uh were filed with the 1043 01:32:33,280 --> 01:32:40,480 county conservation district. Um and it's also available to available and 1044 01:32:38,159 --> 01:32:44,159 it's also available um has been loaded to the planning website. So, I'm I'm 1045 01:32:42,800 --> 01:32:47,679 assuming it's available. >> Can I can I ask some clarifying 1046 01:32:46,159 --> 01:32:51,040 questions? And I I was doing a lot of talking and I should have asked more 1047 01:32:48,880 --> 01:32:55,679 questions initially. Is there any permeable pavement in this design? 1048 01:32:54,639 --> 01:33:01,040 » No. Um >> are there That's fine. Are there any uh 1049 01:32:59,440 --> 01:33:05,920 rainwater uh what they call like like rainwater 1050 01:33:03,280 --> 01:33:10,960 retention uh rain rain gardens >> uh there so the and this is getting 1051 01:33:08,639 --> 01:33:15,520 along into um the fact that it was it's an act two site and the fact that it's 1052 01:33:13,199 --> 01:33:19,920 going through remediation process because a site and those areas that have 1053 01:33:18,480 --> 01:33:24,800 to >> you you can't infiltrate in areas where 1054 01:33:23,199 --> 01:33:29,679 where you actually have an act two site. So, um there's other measures through 1055 01:33:26,800 --> 01:33:33,280 planting and soil um amendments that we've reduced the 1056 01:33:31,120 --> 01:33:37,199 » Was there any consultation with PennDOT for permitting running a storm water 1057 01:33:35,280 --> 01:33:40,239 across the state highway? >> We're going through the process of 1058 01:33:38,719 --> 01:33:44,400 actually getting a storm water easement across Bushkill Drive. Okay. With 1059 01:33:43,520 --> 01:33:48,880 Pendot, >> um we have to do a separate one with 1060 01:33:46,719 --> 01:33:52,560 PENDOT for actually the lighting system and we're going through that process 1061 01:33:50,400 --> 01:33:57,520 currently. So, if I'm understanding correctly, all 1062 01:33:55,840 --> 01:34:04,639 of the storm water that's being channeled into the rainwater system 1063 01:34:01,360 --> 01:34:08,159 will go into the bushkill and somehow it's going to lower the base flood 1064 01:34:06,719 --> 01:34:11,280 elevation. >> Yes. And it's 1065 01:34:09,360 --> 01:34:16,320 » that seems to defy physics. >> Well, it's no water goes downhill. So, 1066 01:34:14,480 --> 01:34:19,920 » you're adding water to the bushill and it's going to be less likely to 1067 01:34:17,920 --> 01:34:26,040 » less currently than less than today. Yes. But there are no retention ponds on 1068 01:34:22,320 --> 01:34:26,040 site. Correct. 1069 01:34:26,320 --> 01:34:34,639 » That's sounds like magic. Um >> I would say off the flooding that's I 1070 01:34:32,400 --> 01:34:39,679 will move on off the flooding. I still argue that this is not right for because 1071 01:34:36,960 --> 01:34:42,880 of the parcel being in the flood zone. I'd like to talk about the impervious 1072 01:34:41,120 --> 01:34:48,400 surface which is another one of the zoning variances that I believe should 1073 01:34:46,159 --> 01:34:52,400 be on their application that is not included. We've been told 1074 01:34:50,800 --> 01:34:57,679 It's in the river corridor. This is the provision of the river corridor. Max 1075 01:34:54,960 --> 01:35:00,560 pvious coverage 30%. There are some exceptions, but I think it's important 1076 01:34:59,120 --> 01:35:04,400 that we look at what that site looks like. Now, this is a Google satellite. 1077 01:35:02,719 --> 01:35:10,400 » Let me interrupt you before you go any further. Mr. Tilman, has a determination 1078 01:35:07,120 --> 01:35:15,120 been made that an impervious surface variance is necessary for this project? 1079 01:35:13,679 --> 01:35:18,120 » Yes, it was determined that it's not needed. 1080 01:35:19,040 --> 01:35:25,040 Do you want a question, Mr. Telman? I >> I'm I'm just curious how that's possible 1081 01:35:22,800 --> 01:35:30,480 when we're looking at a site that is significantly overgrown, full of crushed 1082 01:35:27,360 --> 01:35:36,639 pavement, gravel, dirt, and that will be converted into predominantly a parking 1083 01:35:33,199 --> 01:35:40,239 lot. I I just don't understand how this isn't more than 30. I I've had an 1084 01:35:38,400 --> 01:35:47,199 architect look at this and tell me that it from their assessment, it's about 38% 1085 01:35:42,960 --> 01:35:51,120 impervious pavement on this parcel. the the the the statement that I heard 1086 01:35:49,280 --> 01:35:57,040 at the planning commission presentation was, well, it's less than is there now, 1087 01:35:55,199 --> 01:36:00,080 so we don't have to worry about it. And when I look at what's theirs now, it 1088 01:35:58,560 --> 01:36:04,760 certainly doesn't seem less than a parking lot in a four-story building. 1089 01:36:07,280 --> 01:36:15,840 Um, the one thing I'd just like to point out is, um, that growth [snorts] is 1090 01:36:12,800 --> 01:36:21,520 probably only about an inch deep. Um, is underneath is the remnants of again the 1091 01:36:19,679 --> 01:36:28,000 scrap metal yard, the mining that was there before that that is rock 1092 01:36:24,400 --> 01:36:34,639 underneath there. Um for all intents and purposes, it is very solid uh I believe 1093 01:36:30,560 --> 01:36:40,159 silt stone. Um so where how the site is being developed is actually to um we're 1094 01:36:38,159 --> 01:36:46,719 going to bring in a lot of fill but it'll be more of a if you want to go on 1095 01:36:42,800 --> 01:36:52,159 the the uh USGS classification an AV type of soil and that's actually being 1096 01:36:49,520 --> 01:36:58,080 specified for the fill on the site which should actually grab some absorption 1097 01:36:54,560 --> 01:37:03,760 volume for those uh initial runoffs. Um, and then actually with the what you 1098 01:37:00,880 --> 01:37:08,800 don't see there, um, you know, what's what might be green there is weeds. Um, 1099 01:37:06,880 --> 01:37:14,480 if you would take note to the planting plan and the amount of actual, uh, trees 1100 01:37:11,920 --> 01:37:19,000 that we're trying to add to the site u to actually increase the coverage 1101 01:37:16,000 --> 01:37:19,000 values. 1102 01:37:20,800 --> 01:37:28,000 Okay. So, if I understand correctly, because there's stone under the dirt, 1103 01:37:25,760 --> 01:37:31,280 the impervious This isn't going to be a problem. 1104 01:37:28,880 --> 01:37:37,960 » Other other than the piles of asphalt and then whatever bricks and other stuff 1105 01:37:33,920 --> 01:37:37,960 that are there. I mean, we can all talk. 1106 01:37:38,560 --> 01:37:45,360 » I have two more questions and then can talk about the other building, I guess. 1107 01:37:42,960 --> 01:37:48,800 Um, in your renderings, you showed sidewalks that seem to extend all the 1108 01:37:46,960 --> 01:37:52,000 way down Bushkill Drive. Do you plan to construct those sidewalks? It's my 1109 01:37:50,239 --> 01:37:56,639 understanding there's no sidewalks in that area at all right now in the 1110 01:37:54,320 --> 01:38:00,159 renderings that were presented. >> Go ahead. 1111 01:37:58,320 --> 01:38:05,280 » So, in conjunction with the city of Easton who has a a corridor grant, 1112 01:38:03,119 --> 01:38:09,520 there's a there's a they've received a grant for 1113 01:38:07,119 --> 01:38:12,480 mobility and in conjunction with them, we are building a certain amount of 1114 01:38:10,639 --> 01:38:15,119 sidewalk for them and then where they're building, you know, we don't know 1115 01:38:13,600 --> 01:38:17,119 exactly, but there will be sidewalk. The goal is to 1116 01:38:16,320 --> 01:38:20,639 » down to the mall. >> Yeah, the the goal was to extend 1117 01:38:20,159 --> 01:38:24,239 up to >> because we don't control. 1118 01:38:22,480 --> 01:38:27,679 » Yeah. So, we can't we can't quite get there, but we're planning on doing as 1119 01:38:25,760 --> 01:38:33,119 much sidewalk and you know and mobility as possible in the corridor. Yes. 1120 01:38:30,880 --> 01:38:36,679 » And then I I I think my last question is just um 1121 01:38:38,239 --> 01:38:47,520 a series of questions. Um how many square feet of developable space is 1122 01:38:43,679 --> 01:38:50,480 being built on this southside property approximately? 1123 01:38:50,960 --> 01:38:54,560 cubic feet. Square feet. I don't understand. 1124 01:38:52,800 --> 01:38:59,119 » Square feet. Square feet of rental space. Do you can you guess or not 1125 01:38:57,520 --> 01:39:02,159 guess? Can you approximate >> it? It's not I don't understand because 1126 01:39:00,880 --> 01:39:06,560 I don't understand the relevance. I >> I think from my reading of the plans, 1127 01:39:03,360 --> 01:39:11,040 it's about 90,000 square feet of rentable uh square footage. 1128 01:39:10,560 --> 01:39:12,800 » Okay. >> Right. I mean, does that sound about 1129 01:39:12,080 --> 01:39:18,400 right? 90. >> No idea, but keep going. Well, do do you 1130 01:39:15,040 --> 01:39:24,239 know how much of it is uh retail or commercial space? 1131 01:39:22,320 --> 01:39:27,600 » Well, I mean, so our plans have changed a little bit over the years because we 1132 01:39:26,000 --> 01:39:30,960 um you know, I'll go even though that's not part of this discussion. It's for 1133 01:39:29,440 --> 01:39:33,600 the planning commission. >> Yeah, we we are getting 1134 01:39:32,239 --> 01:39:37,280 » we're getting off the thing. But I'm I'm just I'll give you a quick what we 1135 01:39:35,040 --> 01:39:41,760 already discussed today earlier is you know we originally had planned the the 1136 01:39:39,760 --> 01:39:47,119 trail was here saying they wanted 6,000 ft of commercial space and then they've 1137 01:39:43,920 --> 01:39:50,800 reduced it to 1500 to 2,000 ft. still slightly not sure yet on the south side. 1138 01:39:49,679 --> 01:39:57,280 But then on the north side, for instance, there was a discussion of um 1139 01:39:53,520 --> 01:40:01,199 the uh the um sorry, Nurture Nature had originally 1140 01:39:59,600 --> 01:40:03,600 started off with us a couple years ago and we did this whole design process 1141 01:40:02,480 --> 01:40:07,600 with them where they were going to take 20 or 30,000 feet. Long story short, 1142 01:40:06,000 --> 01:40:10,880 they ended up not being able to get their grant at the right time to do what 1143 01:40:09,280 --> 01:40:13,119 they wanted to do. So that whole thing changed. So, but we were happy to 1144 01:40:12,080 --> 01:40:19,639 discuss this in front of planning commission. I'm sure that it's another 1145 01:40:15,840 --> 01:40:19,639 discussion. Um, 1146 01:40:19,840 --> 01:40:24,080 » yeah, I think interpretation. No, no further. 1147 01:40:22,639 --> 01:40:25,199 » Harding, could you leave that up for one second? 1148 01:40:24,719 --> 01:40:27,119 » What's that? >> Could you leave that picture up for one 1149 01:40:26,560 --> 01:40:28,719 second? >> Oh, sure. You want to leave this picture 1150 01:40:28,560 --> 01:40:31,840 up? >> Just for one second. I just because I 1151 01:40:30,560 --> 01:40:39,520 don't know if I had I don't know if I got clarification on the imperous 1152 01:40:34,320 --> 01:40:45,960 surface ratio and why that picture there is less than what I'm seeing on the 1153 01:40:42,960 --> 01:40:45,960 plans. 1154 01:40:50,320 --> 01:40:57,840 So the soil composition underneath what you see there is actually much more 1155 01:40:55,440 --> 01:41:02,800 impervious because or sorry it's much more impervious. Right? You got me 1156 01:41:00,239 --> 01:41:08,719 thinking wrong. Um because it's really a compacted very dense rock 1157 01:41:06,159 --> 01:41:13,679 bed that's on top of that scrapyard that everything was sat on for million many 1158 01:41:11,040 --> 01:41:19,440 many years. And so when you actually do the soil sampling it's considered 1159 01:41:16,080 --> 01:41:23,119 impervious coverage. And so what you have what you're seeing 1160 01:41:20,719 --> 01:41:26,080 in the way of greenery is weeds growing up like they grow through concrete 1161 01:41:24,960 --> 01:41:31,199 basically >> or grow on concrete. That is what it's 1162 01:41:27,840 --> 01:41:33,600 been explained to us. >> Okay. 1163 01:41:32,080 --> 01:41:36,320 » My understanding would be that if weeds can grow through it, it's not impervious 1164 01:41:35,199 --> 01:41:42,480 surface. >> Um but um you know I I'll conclude my 1165 01:41:41,119 --> 01:41:46,560 remarks with just saying that these are not necessary variances. These are 1166 01:41:44,639 --> 01:41:51,920 variances that they would like because it will maximize the profitability and 1167 01:41:49,440 --> 01:41:55,440 the density of this site and that also the flood zone provisions of our own 1168 01:41:53,760 --> 01:41:59,320 code have not been enforced. Thank you for your time. 1169 01:41:56,159 --> 01:41:59,320 » Thank you. 1170 01:42:05,360 --> 01:42:08,480 » Were you sworn in? 1171 01:42:11,920 --> 01:42:17,920 Hi, my name is Richard Sparat. I live at 917 Hillside Avenue. 1172 01:42:16,480 --> 01:42:23,360 » I'm sorry. >> S P A R S H A T. 1173 01:42:21,840 --> 01:42:28,080 » And your address again, sir? >> 917 Hillside Avenue in East 1174 01:42:26,480 --> 01:42:30,239 » 917 Hillside. >> Yes. 1175 01:42:28,480 --> 01:42:35,920 » Thank you, sir. Um so my question was really about the 1176 01:42:32,800 --> 01:42:38,800 variance for um 10 feet for apartments and I think that is nice. 1177 01:42:37,360 --> 01:42:41,199 » Sorry the variance for what? >> 10 foot for apartment ceilings. 1178 01:42:40,639 --> 01:42:44,800 » Okay. >> And I agree. I think it is nice to have 1179 01:42:42,719 --> 01:42:47,920 apartments with 10 foot ceilings. But I would question why that wasn't thought 1180 01:42:46,639 --> 01:42:51,600 about at the beginning. And if they want apartments with 10 foot ceilings then it 1181 01:42:50,080 --> 01:42:56,800 should be a three-story building not a fourstory building. 1182 01:42:53,679 --> 01:43:03,760 Um my second question really um just to help educate me is the um the nature of 1183 01:43:00,400 --> 01:43:08,320 mixed use. Um I presume there's a purpose for mixed use or I guess this is 1184 01:43:06,239 --> 01:43:14,000 my question. Is there a purpose for mixed use? As in is it really there to 1185 01:43:12,080 --> 01:43:20,560 support the needs of the people in the building or is there some other reason 1186 01:43:15,920 --> 01:43:24,800 that the building should be mixed use? That was just to educate me. 1187 01:43:22,880 --> 01:43:29,679 We're not here for use variants. >> Fine. Okay. Um so then my first question 1188 01:43:27,760 --> 01:43:32,719 really is um why the variant should stand have apartments with 10ft 1189 01:43:31,440 --> 01:43:38,920 ceilings. If they want apartments with 10ft ceilings then they should have 1190 01:43:34,400 --> 01:43:38,920 three stories of apartments not four. 1191 01:43:39,040 --> 01:43:42,920 » Thank you. >> Thank 1192 01:43:44,639 --> 01:43:50,400 good question. So, our goal was to keep the mass of the 1193 01:43:49,280 --> 01:43:55,840 building in keeping with the other masses of the buildings and the rest of 1194 01:43:52,400 --> 01:43:59,040 the corridor. And so, we're we're thinking that that seems to be in line 1195 01:43:58,239 --> 01:44:03,760 with everything else. >> But if you wanted to mitigate this 1196 01:44:01,040 --> 01:44:07,920 project to better conform with our zoning ordinance, could you do three 1197 01:44:06,320 --> 01:44:13,920 stories? >> Yes and no. So, the the the idea is is 1198 01:44:10,719 --> 01:44:16,400 that do you want I guess the the idea is um well, of course you can build 1199 01:44:15,040 --> 01:44:20,159 anything. It's a new building. So the answer is yes, I guess in the short term 1200 01:44:18,000 --> 01:44:26,400 of it. But the long of it is if you want a um if you want a a a project in 1201 01:44:23,360 --> 01:44:28,880 keeping with the corridor and so that is what we were going for was in keeping 1202 01:44:27,760 --> 01:44:33,040 with the corridor >> like to have a project that's more in 1203 01:44:31,360 --> 01:44:38,960 line with the zoning code than the corridor. So it's just 1204 01:44:35,600 --> 01:44:42,960 » sorry we could in theory do a four-story building with eight eight foot ceilings. 1205 01:44:41,199 --> 01:44:47,280 We'd still, it's not a density issue necessarily because that's what we would 1206 01:44:45,520 --> 01:44:51,040 likely end up with. We're just trying to prod produce a better product. 1207 01:44:49,040 --> 01:44:54,560 Understood. The other option would be where we don't have a height restriction 1208 01:44:52,719 --> 01:45:00,239 on the opposite side of the building, opposite side of the street is to 1209 01:44:55,840 --> 01:45:04,159 potentially go even higher. Um, so we were trying to make them more balanced 1210 01:45:02,719 --> 01:45:08,159 on either side of the >> I'm just trying to get to Mr. 1211 01:45:06,719 --> 01:45:11,760 Attorney Hardy had mentioned about the profitability of this project and that's 1212 01:45:10,000 --> 01:45:18,400 kind of what I'm getting at. That's, you know, is this why we have to go four 1213 01:45:14,960 --> 01:45:21,360 stories instead of three? Would it be not profitable to do do 1214 01:45:20,480 --> 01:45:24,960 three stories? >> Did Did I just understand you to say 1215 01:45:23,360 --> 01:45:28,480 that across the street you could go higher 1216 01:45:27,360 --> 01:45:31,840 under the ordinance? >> Correct. 1217 01:45:29,119 --> 01:45:35,600 » And and you're trying to keep the buildings consistent from one side of 1218 01:45:34,320 --> 01:45:38,800 the street to the other. It's still higher on the north parcel as you'll see 1219 01:45:37,280 --> 01:45:43,760 when we get to the next hearing, but could be 1220 01:45:40,560 --> 01:45:50,480 potentially even higher, I think. So, uh, 1221 01:45:46,719 --> 01:45:54,800 sorry. Um, to speak to the profitability when we responded to the city's RFP, 1222 01:45:52,719 --> 01:46:00,719 multif family or mixed use rather was requested in that RFP from the city as 1223 01:45:57,360 --> 01:46:05,360 was an extremely dense site. That was specifically the request. And so we're 1224 01:46:03,520 --> 01:46:12,320 attempting to meet that density requirement and spread it out over both 1225 01:46:08,320 --> 01:46:15,560 parcels as best as we could. >> Thank you. 1226 01:46:30,239 --> 01:46:36,639 » Yeah. So the ANR is 90 ft. Say that again. 1227 01:46:35,280 --> 01:46:41,040 » For the record, we could build the building across the street to 90 ft and 1228 01:46:38,480 --> 01:46:43,280 we tried to mitigate building that to 90 ft because we think that is a little too 1229 01:46:42,800 --> 01:46:47,360 tall. >> So between the two buildings together, 1230 01:46:45,199 --> 01:46:50,639 if it was a matter of profitability, you could increase the height of the other 1231 01:46:49,440 --> 01:46:53,360 one to maximize. >> We could, we just don't think it'd be 1232 01:46:51,679 --> 01:46:57,119 good as a product. Correct. And it would really screw up the massing of the 1233 01:46:55,040 --> 01:47:02,199 corridor. >> Thank you. 1234 01:46:58,239 --> 01:47:02,199 » Any other questions from the board? 1235 01:47:03,199 --> 01:47:09,360 No further questions. I don't know if you have anything. Oh, wait. I'm sorry. 1236 01:47:05,760 --> 01:47:14,239 There's more people. My my my fault. Please. 1237 01:47:11,679 --> 01:47:21,199 » Hi, my name is Tony Mittman, 36 North Thirdrd Street, Houston, Pennsylvania. 1238 01:47:17,040 --> 01:47:25,600 Um, my concern about this whole thing is zoning is supposed to re uh protect the 1239 01:47:23,679 --> 01:47:30,480 character of our neighborhood and the character of our city. And Eastston is 1240 01:47:28,159 --> 01:47:34,719 very historic. College Hill and downtown and the whole thing and Bushkill Drive 1241 01:47:32,560 --> 01:47:39,679 is a very passive quiet connector between College Hill downtown and into 1242 01:47:36,880 --> 01:47:44,400 Forks Township and it hasn't changed ever and at great city expense the city 1243 01:47:42,639 --> 01:47:48,560 of Eastston was able to purchase Eastern Iron and Metal and is in process of 1244 01:47:46,800 --> 01:47:53,679 doing remediation of the Brownfield site. So 1245 01:47:51,440 --> 01:47:58,400 this is not about the developer and the whole project. It's about an opportunity 1246 01:47:55,600 --> 01:48:03,360 for the city of Eastston, which right now currently retains ownership of that 1247 01:48:00,320 --> 01:48:07,040 tract of land. How many acres is it? Acres 1248 01:48:06,000 --> 01:48:12,880 » about >> developable? I think five. 1249 01:48:10,639 --> 01:48:19,199 » But I've always loved that piece of land because on the north side there's an 1250 01:48:14,960 --> 01:48:24,400 escarment along the back of the the lot. And so having raised four children on 1251 01:48:21,119 --> 01:48:28,080 College Hill for 35 years, um I'm very aware of the lack of open space, not 1252 01:48:26,719 --> 01:48:31,920 only on College Hill, but in all Eastern's neighborhoods. So if it were 1253 01:48:30,239 --> 01:48:36,560 up to me, I'd put nothing there except a wonderful park with escarment and 1254 01:48:33,760 --> 01:48:39,760 climbing and all of that. And so if that opportunity were to be available, I 1255 01:48:38,400 --> 01:48:44,400 think that'd be wonderful. That would be my vote. But it's not, you know, not one 1256 01:48:42,480 --> 01:48:49,199 person's decision. But if it's developed, there are ways to do it with 1257 01:48:47,600 --> 01:48:53,600 the developer. And I there's no one that loves a silk project more than I do 1258 01:48:50,960 --> 01:48:58,639 because I worried about it 58 years ago and had it in my initial slideshow 58 1259 01:48:56,880 --> 01:49:03,360 years ago and then Phil and and the governor Randelle and everything got it 1260 01:49:00,320 --> 01:49:08,800 done with Mark. I we've never met but I know it was nice to meet you. [laughter] 1261 01:49:05,520 --> 01:49:13,920 So anyway, it's an opportunity because over the years I've met very many 1262 01:49:11,840 --> 01:49:19,199 wonderful consultants and there's one in particular that could really resolve and 1263 01:49:16,000 --> 01:49:23,920 bring a wonderful project to that land with the developer and the city of 1264 01:49:20,960 --> 01:49:29,360 Eastston and that is uh Phil Mrick in New York. Uh, one time I invented I 1265 01:49:27,119 --> 01:49:32,719 invited Fred Kent to come to Eastston to speak from project for public spaces in 1266 01:49:31,280 --> 01:49:38,639 New York and he came to Easton and addressed 200 people at the Hotel East 1267 01:49:35,840 --> 01:49:41,920 and so Fred Mrick was with Fred Kenton project for public spaces in New York 1268 01:49:40,080 --> 01:49:46,080 for many years and now he's has his own consulting firm and the website is 1269 01:49:43,920 --> 01:49:49,080 philmyrich.com philyrk.com 1270 01:49:49,199 --> 01:49:56,080 and I think if you look at that it's the process that he does of it's almost like 1271 01:49:53,440 --> 01:50:00,159 a cheret you like a design cheret with all the stakeholders and all the parties 1272 01:49:58,000 --> 01:50:04,960 involved really looking at the land and the context with College Hill and 1273 01:50:01,679 --> 01:50:10,800 Eastston and um [clears throat] open space need for uh whatever you know 1274 01:50:08,400 --> 01:50:13,840 that's it's it's a process that I feel is always missing not only with this 1275 01:50:12,320 --> 01:50:19,440 project but with everything when I look out the window that's too much it's just 1276 01:50:17,199 --> 01:50:23,119 too much and more is being built right next door so when the next building you 1277 01:50:21,600 --> 01:50:28,000 won't even see that building because the one that's right here So, um, new 1278 01:50:26,000 --> 01:50:32,639 construction is a whole different thing than historic 1279 01:50:29,920 --> 01:50:37,360 preservation. And so, new construction on cleared land, of which we have very, 1280 01:50:34,639 --> 01:50:43,119 very little in Easton. This particular lot, because of the Carl Sterner uh, 1281 01:50:40,000 --> 01:50:47,840 Arts Trail and the Bushkill Creek and um, the whole thing about quality of 1282 01:50:45,360 --> 01:50:51,760 life and livability, this is an opportunity to do the right thing. And 1283 01:50:49,600 --> 01:50:56,480 when I see these renderings of these kinds of apartment complexes, 1284 01:50:54,719 --> 01:51:03,280 I don't I'd hate to see I think we'd all hate to see another error on on that 1285 01:50:59,760 --> 01:51:08,000 beautiful passive uh Bushkill Drive. And it's a chance that I think if you bring 1286 01:51:04,719 --> 01:51:12,480 out an outside professional to really uh sit down with everyone and say, "Okay, 1287 01:51:10,880 --> 01:51:16,159 what is this land? How does it fit in? You know, Lafayette College could have 1288 01:51:13,840 --> 01:51:20,400 bought it. It would be wonderful. All sorts of different things." But what I I 1289 01:51:19,119 --> 01:51:23,199 don't want to be rude. >> Oh, go ahead. 1290 01:51:21,040 --> 01:51:28,719 » But what what you're talking about is other possibilities that to this point 1291 01:51:26,000 --> 01:51:32,239 have not come to fruition. No one else has stepped up. 1292 01:51:30,239 --> 01:51:34,719 » All of these individuals, you know, Lafayette hasn't expressed interest. 1293 01:51:34,239 --> 01:51:38,000 Yeah. >> The gentleman from New York hasn't 1294 01:51:36,560 --> 01:51:40,480 stepped up. It's been >> Yeah. 1295 01:51:38,400 --> 01:51:43,920 » You know, in its existing condition for how long? 1296 01:51:41,360 --> 01:51:46,639 » Yeah. Well, it's it's you're right. I >> think what you're addressing does not 1297 01:51:45,440 --> 01:51:50,400 really uh >> well, it's a zoning question because 1298 01:51:48,159 --> 01:51:57,360 variances I I would I would suggest and and encourage you to table this so that 1299 01:51:55,119 --> 01:52:02,239 so that it buys time to really sit down and say, you know, look look um because 1300 01:52:00,000 --> 01:52:05,520 zoning is very important and your vote is very important and there's develop 1301 01:52:04,000 --> 01:52:08,960 developer here has done a beautiful job on silk. There's no question about it. 1302 01:52:07,119 --> 01:52:14,159 It's magnificent uh of national and global importance. 1303 01:52:11,760 --> 01:52:18,560 very rare that a project like that would ever happen anywhere. So, it's 1304 01:52:16,560 --> 01:52:24,159 wonderful. And so, I think something like this just it's it's very jarring. 1305 01:52:22,159 --> 01:52:28,719 And so, since it is a zoning question, I would just urge you to table it tonight 1306 01:52:26,080 --> 01:52:32,880 and just if anyone's interested in contacting Phil my work and just talking 1307 01:52:30,639 --> 01:52:37,119 with him and, you know, bringing in someone like that who's who's so 1308 01:52:35,040 --> 01:52:41,360 wellversed on bringing parties together on zoning issues and quality of life and 1309 01:52:39,199 --> 01:52:43,360 development. So that's my comment. Thank you. 1310 01:52:42,000 --> 01:52:47,800 » Thank you. >> Any questions? 1311 01:52:44,400 --> 01:52:47,800 » Anyone else? 1312 01:52:49,520 --> 01:52:52,520 » Okay. 1313 01:52:56,480 --> 01:53:05,840 » Hello everybody. Uh Coron Anderson. That's C A R O N. And Anderson S O N 630 1314 01:53:03,280 --> 01:53:10,880 West Burke Street. I've been an Eastn resident since about 1986 and up on 1315 01:53:08,239 --> 01:53:15,760 College Hill since about 1989. And I guess I have a a question first. Um, at 1316 01:53:14,159 --> 01:53:19,679 the Silk Mill, the apartments there, how high are the ceilings? 1317 01:53:18,239 --> 01:53:21,599 » Ma'am, that has nothing to do with why we're here. 1318 01:53:20,080 --> 01:53:25,960 » Well, we're making a lot of comparison to the other buildings in the corridor. 1319 01:53:27,199 --> 01:53:35,520 » 12 feet. >> 12T. And um I guess my concern is like 1320 01:53:32,480 --> 01:53:39,440 with all the um electrical, heating, all that kind of stuff. If I was looking at 1321 01:53:37,920 --> 01:53:42,320 an apartment, just me personally, I would want an eight foot ceiling and not 1322 01:53:40,639 --> 01:53:47,840 a 10 foot ceiling. And I regret having a house with a 10-ft ceiling because the 1323 01:53:44,800 --> 01:53:52,480 um economy is killing us. Anyway, couple other I just wanted to say one thing 1324 01:53:49,679 --> 01:53:55,760 that um I get confused between the left and the right hand side and I guess 1325 01:53:53,679 --> 01:53:59,280 we're talking about the lefthand side of Bushkill versus the right hand side 1326 01:53:57,599 --> 01:54:04,080 which butts up against I think it's actually College Hill and I'm not going 1327 01:54:01,520 --> 01:54:09,119 to stay for that discussion. I have a ride home. But, um, 1328 01:54:07,760 --> 01:54:13,199 College Hill has always been a community, a neighborhood association. 1329 01:54:11,119 --> 01:54:16,000 And I did a little bit of Googling and I guess you can find answers to almost 1330 01:54:14,480 --> 01:54:20,800 anything whether you believe them or not on Google, but it says on average that 1331 01:54:18,560 --> 01:54:25,840 if you're an apartment dweller, you move every two to two and a half years. If 1332 01:54:23,199 --> 01:54:31,199 you own your property, you're likely to stay for 12 and a half or more years, 1333 01:54:28,000 --> 01:54:36,480 depending on your age. And I'm really sad to see apartments going in butdding 1334 01:54:34,719 --> 01:54:41,599 up against a neighborhood with all that historical significance with long-term 1335 01:54:38,400 --> 01:54:46,880 residents. And it bothers me a lot. And it probably isn't a variance issue. It's 1336 01:54:43,840 --> 01:54:51,920 just a personal site. The other thing is um traffic. I've heard everything from 1337 01:54:49,440 --> 01:54:57,119 40 to 50% increase on Bushkill, which isn't very well used right now. But if 1338 01:54:55,040 --> 01:55:01,440 you go down West Lafayette Street at 8:00 in the morning, the cars are 1339 01:54:59,440 --> 01:55:08,239 already getting to 13th Street, the cars are already backed up beyond the YMCA. 1340 01:55:05,040 --> 01:55:14,080 And if you come off 22 on the highway to 13th Street at rush hour, the cars are 1341 01:55:11,040 --> 01:55:18,400 already backed up onto Route 22. And I'm very concerned about the traffic, you 1342 01:55:16,800 --> 01:55:21,920 know, that's increased traffic that's going to be it's got to go somewhere. 1343 01:55:20,000 --> 01:55:26,239 It's either got to go to 13th Street, it's got to go to Third Street, which is 1344 01:55:24,000 --> 01:55:31,040 often flooded, by the way, on Bushkill Drive. I've had to detour around West 1345 01:55:28,320 --> 01:55:35,599 Lafayette Street to get down to 13th Street. I can see the impact being quite 1346 01:55:33,760 --> 01:55:39,199 significant with all those units being going in there and all the people on the 1347 01:55:37,840 --> 01:55:43,679 traffic pattern. Whether or not it increases Bushkill by 40%, it's going to 1348 01:55:41,520 --> 01:55:47,679 increase the problems on the other two areas and the little I guess it's a 1349 01:55:45,840 --> 01:55:51,840 causeway or a bridge going over 13th Street. I think it's going to be 1350 01:55:49,599 --> 01:55:54,000 personally I think it'll be a nightmare. That's the end of my discussion. Thank 1351 01:55:53,360 --> 01:55:57,239 you very much. >> Thank you. 1352 01:55:57,280 --> 01:56:00,820 » Anybody else? [clears throat] 1353 01:56:02,800 --> 01:56:09,520 » See no one else care to respond to anything or sum up 1354 01:56:10,480 --> 01:56:19,440 I'll sum up that you know it's um we have done a lot of re renovation in in 1355 01:56:15,760 --> 01:56:24,719 the city and um I think uh our record speaks for the fact we care which is why 1356 01:56:22,400 --> 01:56:30,000 we're also you know we want to try to be open and answer everyone's questions. um 1357 01:56:27,599 --> 01:56:34,560 you know, we've invested our basically our adult lives working here and 1358 01:56:33,040 --> 01:56:39,599 raising, you know, raising our kids locally and and uh and um you know, 1359 01:56:37,760 --> 01:56:43,520 we're we're I am fully invested in the city of East more than anyone wants to 1360 01:56:41,280 --> 01:56:46,480 be. So, I will simply say that uh we think we're doing the best we can and we 1361 01:56:44,800 --> 01:56:48,639 we we heard some of the comments tonight and like I said, we heard some of the 1362 01:56:47,599 --> 01:56:50,800 comments earlier. We're gonna we'd like to do some redesign on the buildings, 1363 01:56:49,760 --> 01:56:54,480 but that doesn't affect tonight's hearing. But I would say that um you 1364 01:56:53,119 --> 01:56:58,480 know we feel we've presented a good project and we believe that we can meet 1365 01:56:56,880 --> 01:57:01,520 all the criteria of this board tonight that's necessary and we think we've 1366 01:57:00,000 --> 01:57:06,000 balanced it as best we can and we appreciate your your uh your your 1367 01:57:03,840 --> 01:57:10,159 thoughts and uh and hope that you'll you'll vote in favor of our uh our 1368 01:57:08,480 --> 01:57:14,119 request and thank you. >> Thank you. Close the hearing. 1369 02:09:49,199 --> 02:09:54,480 who is >> Mike and then Miss 1370 02:09:52,800 --> 02:09:59,360 » Panto and then Mr. Lac second. 1371 02:09:57,520 --> 02:10:01,360 » Oh, Pam, I'm sorry. Pam >> Mr. Civetella. 1372 02:10:00,800 --> 02:10:04,000 » I >> Miss Panto. 1373 02:10:03,040 --> 02:10:06,239 » Mr. Lopez. >> Hi, 1374 02:10:04,320 --> 02:10:09,239 » Miss Thomas. Granite. 1375 02:10:09,679 --> 02:10:12,840 » Thank you. 1376 02:10:18,800 --> 02:10:26,440 » Yeah. >> Five minute break. 1377 02:10:23,040 --> 02:10:26,440 » Yeah, I know. 1378 02:10:27,760 --> 02:10:32,480 » Are we having a break? Oh, okay. Okay. We taking five or 1379 02:10:31,679 --> 02:10:35,480 » taking five? >> Okay. 1380 02:10:56,079 --> 02:11:00,199 I don't know what's happening right now. 1381 02:11:06,719 --> 02:11:14,040 Oh, hold on. It's just taking it. >> It says, "Please wait. You're a little 1382 02:11:11,040 --> 02:11:14,040 too 1383 02:11:39,599 --> 02:11:47,360 Nice. So, so my coach has got me playing this 14y old kid. 1384 02:11:45,440 --> 02:11:51,280 » No, it's fine. Actually, I beat him handily like a bunch of It's imagine 1385 02:11:50,320 --> 02:11:56,079 Florida >> from 10 a.m. to noon. 1386 02:11:53,599 --> 02:11:59,920 » It's like 110 in the shade. >> And the thing is that I don't know I'm 1387 02:11:57,520 --> 02:12:03,920 51. I don't know. I'm 51. So, I'm out there. I'm killing. 1388 02:12:02,560 --> 02:12:08,000 And then I would sit down in like the shade and I'm like, "Oh my god, I think 1389 02:12:05,520 --> 02:12:13,280 I'm going to die." Like, I just So, I lost I lost eight pounds because 1390 02:12:11,280 --> 02:12:17,360 » either mostly I lost three pounds of weight in five pounds of water 1391 02:12:15,679 --> 02:12:19,679 » playing this guy. >> I couldn't believe I beat him. That's 1392 02:12:18,560 --> 02:12:23,599 the first thing. My coach, you're guilty. Because he wants me. He's trying 1393 02:12:21,119 --> 02:12:27,560 to get me into competitions and I'm like I'm like whatever. So, 1394 02:12:28,320 --> 02:12:32,400 Uh >> oh. Did we break something? 1395 02:12:30,000 --> 02:12:35,400 » It might have been like 1396 02:12:40,880 --> 02:12:47,239 » Don't do it. >> Don't touch it. Just let the rain come 1397 02:12:44,239 --> 02:12:47,239 back. 1398 02:12:55,040 --> 02:12:59,719 » Keep me up. I've been up since 4:30. 1399 02:13:17,199 --> 02:13:24,280 » Oh yeah. >> Okay. Well, you know, we share 1400 02:13:20,560 --> 02:13:24,280 everything including backwash. 1401 02:13:50,239 --> 02:13:54,719 You broke it. >> No, it worked. 1402 02:13:51,920 --> 02:13:57,040 » Yeah, I don't know if it was laptop on there or just out or something like 1403 02:13:56,800 --> 02:14:00,000 that. >> Is it coming back on? 1404 02:13:58,239 --> 02:14:05,079 » Oh, wait. Is the TV off? >> No, 1405 02:14:01,760 --> 02:14:05,079 it should be. 1406 02:14:06,239 --> 02:14:09,840 » No, it didn't die. It just needs to wake back up. 1407 02:14:08,719 --> 02:14:14,440 » Oh, I see it. >> Yeah, you have to wake the Autobot. 1408 02:14:31,280 --> 02:14:37,159 Yeah. And it said >> Yeah. 1409 02:14:37,199 --> 02:14:40,199 PC. 1410 02:14:40,239 --> 02:14:46,000 » Yeah. But now it works. >> We hit some buttons and it turned off. 1411 02:14:43,599 --> 02:14:52,599 » I think it was maybe when the lawyer put the buttons on. 1412 02:14:48,480 --> 02:14:52,599 We just have to open. 1413 02:14:56,000 --> 02:14:59,960 » Yeah. Let me look. >> Yep. 1414 02:15:24,719 --> 02:15:28,040 I couldn't even 1415 02:15:39,360 --> 02:15:43,639 tried to beat it and 1416 02:15:43,920 --> 02:15:49,960 trickling. Nothing crazy. All a sudden it just opened. 1417 02:18:02,319 --> 02:18:08,359 So, we'll see. There's a couple 1418 02:18:12,800 --> 02:18:15,800 fun. 1419 02:18:41,120 --> 02:18:45,399 We're going to call the hearing back to order. 1420 02:18:50,240 --> 02:18:54,960 » You ready? Open up the next hearing. Secretary with a purpose, please. 1421 02:18:54,315 --> 02:18:58,960 » [clears throat] >> All right. Applications hereby made for 1422 02:18:57,519 --> 02:19:04,800 a public hearing before the East Zoning Hearing Board for property known as 1111 1423 02:19:01,679 --> 02:19:10,800 1113 Bushkill Drive zoning district adaptive reuse block class B variances 1424 02:19:07,439 --> 02:19:18,920 as follows. 59522D proposed build two line of 17 ft 1425 02:19:13,200 --> 02:19:18,920 required build two line of 5T. 59517F3 1426 02:19:19,120 --> 02:19:25,200 proposed shrubs along the street side of the building. Required street trees 1427 02:19:23,439 --> 02:19:31,280 shall be planted along both sides of all streets in accordance with chapter 5542 1428 02:19:28,399 --> 02:19:35,280 and as determined by the city forester. The above action is request to proceed 1429 02:19:33,519 --> 02:19:39,120 with the construction of a mixeduse residential commercial building for the 1430 02:19:36,960 --> 02:19:45,359 redevelopment of an existing property along Bushkill Drive. The appellent is 1431 02:19:41,599 --> 02:19:50,240 Brandon Walker at 1 Oxford Center, Pittsburgh, PA15219. 1432 02:19:48,080 --> 02:19:54,479 The owner is the city of East at 123 South Third Street. Uh 25 adjacent 1433 02:19:52,880 --> 02:19:58,160 property owners were notified and it was published in the press. 1434 02:19:56,560 --> 02:20:02,160 » Thank you, Tom. I see the applicant is present. I'm going to ask anyone that 1435 02:19:59,760 --> 02:20:05,800 wants to um talk at this hearing be sworn in now, please. 1436 02:20:15,280 --> 02:20:21,000 went to tell me this property was posted. 1437 02:20:17,040 --> 02:20:21,000 » Yes, it was. Thank you. 1438 02:20:21,280 --> 02:20:29,280 » Good evening again. Hi. Oh, Dwayne did read it. 1439 02:20:28,319 --> 02:20:30,640 » You're done, Dwayne, right? >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. 1440 02:20:29,920 --> 02:20:34,160 » Okay. >> I did the same thing last time at least. 1441 02:20:32,319 --> 02:20:40,080 Okay. Sorry. Too many of these hearings. Um, hi. Okay. So here we are here for 1442 02:20:36,800 --> 02:20:45,680 just two variances. One similar to the south side which is again street trees 1443 02:20:42,479 --> 02:20:53,439 and shrubs and parking. Um and then a new discussion which is a little odd. Um 1444 02:20:49,280 --> 02:20:57,200 so our build two line is five feet is supposed to be 5t from the edge of the 1445 02:20:54,880 --> 02:21:01,040 building. So I might you know that you basically you open a car door you're 1446 02:20:59,439 --> 02:21:05,280 going to practically hit the building. So for instance we went with about 17 to 1447 02:21:03,359 --> 02:21:11,280 20 feet. Also, the the the road is curved, so it it it's 20 ft and then 17 1448 02:21:08,080 --> 02:21:14,720 ft on the ends approximately. But, um, for instance, the marquee, any any 1449 02:21:12,960 --> 02:21:19,359 building over three or four stories, you're not going to want five feet 1450 02:21:16,240 --> 02:21:24,479 between the curb and the and the and the face of the building. So, we feel it's a 1451 02:21:22,240 --> 02:21:27,680 better design feature. But, yeah, we can go through the slides. 1452 02:21:25,920 --> 02:21:33,760 Sorry, I'm a little off. So, anyway, okay, there's the parcel. 1453 02:21:31,040 --> 02:21:39,920 Um, just so you know, [clears throat] in comments that we received reloc we 1454 02:21:36,080 --> 02:21:44,319 relocated the storefront for this on the actual street face. 1455 02:21:42,560 --> 02:21:48,720 And then the first, like I said, the first variance we're dealing with is the 1456 02:21:45,920 --> 02:21:52,240 build two line, which because of the curvature of the road is 20 ft in the 1457 02:21:50,319 --> 02:21:58,160 center and approximately 15 and 17 on the ends. And we just feel it's better 1458 02:21:54,560 --> 02:22:01,760 practice to not have the cars be directly right up against the building 1459 02:21:59,760 --> 02:22:04,479 as it would be like in a downtown corridor. 1460 02:22:03,600 --> 02:22:07,760 Um >> did I see do you plan to install 1461 02:22:06,560 --> 02:22:10,880 sidewalks there? >> Yes, there'll be sidewalks there. Um 1462 02:22:09,439 --> 02:22:13,760 there'll be bushes again. We're underneath the power lines again in some 1463 02:22:12,399 --> 02:22:16,640 spots so there's not there's trees on the ends. We'll get we'll get to that in 1464 02:22:15,040 --> 02:22:21,399 the next uh and there's bushes in that area. 1465 02:22:18,399 --> 02:22:21,399 » Yeah. 1466 02:22:21,600 --> 02:22:28,560 » So the build line is currently right along the curb, the proposed curb for 1467 02:22:25,920 --> 02:22:31,760 the parking. So to be five feet away from that, we would have a five foot 1468 02:22:30,000 --> 02:22:35,600 sidewalk. But as Mark mentioned, if you were to open a car door, you would take 1469 02:22:33,200 --> 02:22:40,479 up almost three feet of that. And clearly having a multi-story building up 1470 02:22:38,720 --> 02:22:45,280 against, you know, only five feet between the curb and the building at 1471 02:22:42,479 --> 02:22:50,800 face. It's very tight. As a point of reference, the marquee here is an 18 1472 02:22:48,560 --> 02:22:56,479 foot sidewalk from curb to front of building. So they have about three foot 1473 02:22:52,800 --> 02:23:02,000 strip for um unloading and loading and then a um 15 foot sidewalk which allows 1474 02:23:00,319 --> 02:23:07,359 for some of the seating that they have outside. But that feeling just for a 1475 02:23:04,479 --> 02:23:10,800 point of reference is close to what we're proposing here. 1476 02:23:09,120 --> 02:23:14,800 » And furthermore, not just the marquee, but pretty much every building three 1477 02:23:12,560 --> 02:23:20,000 three stories this building marquee they're all over 15 feet. It just it 1478 02:23:17,760 --> 02:23:26,240 seems that doesn't seem correct, but that's 1479 02:23:22,720 --> 02:23:30,160 why we're requesting the relief. I guess we'll move on. That's our Any 1480 02:23:27,920 --> 02:23:34,319 questions on that? Okay. >> Uh Street Trees, sorry, I did them 1481 02:23:32,160 --> 02:23:38,800 backwards. So, sorry, the slides. She's like, what are you doing? Um, so again, 1482 02:23:36,960 --> 02:23:41,920 the same uh discussion we had on the south building and then in keeping to 1483 02:23:40,479 --> 02:23:47,120 try to keep the north and the south side looking the same. Um, we have only three 1484 02:23:45,120 --> 02:23:51,520 street trees that are physically in the street 1485 02:23:48,880 --> 02:23:56,399 as you know really street trees are. And then we've highlighted additional trees 1486 02:23:53,520 --> 02:24:00,479 that we have that are very close to the street. And again, we're planting not on 1487 02:23:59,280 --> 02:24:03,200 this side where there's not going to be hundreds of trees because you have the 1488 02:24:01,680 --> 02:24:06,960 cliff face coming down, but we are going to be keeping all the mature trees that 1489 02:24:04,960 --> 02:24:13,520 we can and then planting along the cliff face along the back. So, um, we're just 1490 02:24:11,120 --> 02:24:19,520 again trying to request as many street stalls of parking for public use of the 1491 02:24:16,800 --> 02:24:23,760 trail, which is why we're doing the street trees the way we're doing them. 1492 02:24:21,200 --> 02:24:30,840 And that's really that's it for variances on this site. 1493 02:24:26,960 --> 02:24:30,840 Any questions from the board? 1494 02:24:31,645 --> 02:24:36,560 [sighs] All right, I'll take some comments from 1495 02:24:34,160 --> 02:24:41,399 the audience. Yeah, they were. 1496 02:24:38,399 --> 02:24:41,399 Anybody? 1497 02:24:42,319 --> 02:24:45,319 Okay. 1498 02:24:49,840 --> 02:24:56,720 There's no further questions you want to sum up. 1499 02:24:53,359 --> 02:25:00,479 » Um, uh, thank you for your consideration and respectfully request that you vote 1500 02:24:58,880 --> 02:25:04,760 in favor of hopefully these two variances. Thank you. 1501 02:25:01,600 --> 02:25:04,760 » Thank you. 1502 02:25:07,280 --> 02:25:12,600 obviously less. 1503 02:25:32,000 --> 02:25:35,399 Is there a motion? 1504 02:25:45,520 --> 02:25:49,000 and Mr. Thomas 1505 02:25:50,880 --> 02:25:53,840 » Miss Thomas. >> Hi, 1506 02:25:52,880 --> 02:25:55,359 » Mr. Lobac. >> Hi, 1507 02:25:54,399 --> 02:25:58,319 » Mr. Civotella. >> Hi, 1508 02:25:56,080 --> 02:26:01,840 » Miss Panta. >> Grant, good luck. 1509 02:25:59,600 --> 02:26:04,840 » Thank you very much. Actually, 1510 02:26:11,439 --> 02:26:16,439 the eggs might make my house look better. I don't know. 1511 02:26:31,520 --> 02:26:36,560 All right, I'm going to open up the next hearing. Secretary to purpose, please. 1512 02:26:34,880 --> 02:26:39,439 » All right, applications hereby made for a public hearing before the East and 1513 02:26:37,760 --> 02:26:44,560 Zoning Hearing Board for property known as 36 South 12th Street Zoning District 1514 02:26:42,160 --> 02:26:49,920 West Ward block class C. Variance is as follows. 59515D 1515 02:26:47,280 --> 02:26:55,439 proposed existing lot width of 16 ft required a minimum lot width of 18 ft. 1516 02:26:52,960 --> 02:26:59,520 59515F3 proposed no street trees required. 1517 02:26:57,439 --> 02:27:05,600 Street trees shall be planted along streets in accordance with chapter 5541 1518 02:27:02,720 --> 02:27:09,600 and as determined by the city forester. 59533B 1519 02:27:07,760 --> 02:27:15,439 proposed zero off- streetet parking spaces required two off- streetet 1520 02:27:11,920 --> 02:27:19,439 parking spaces. 59515D proposed existing impervious coverage of 1521 02:27:17,600 --> 02:27:24,479 68% required maximum impervious coverage not 1522 02:27:21,520 --> 02:27:28,319 to exceed 50%. The above action is request to proceed with the conversion 1523 02:27:26,160 --> 02:27:35,920 of a single family residential to two units. The appellent is Jose Pores at 36 1524 02:27:32,399 --> 02:27:44,800 South 12th Street East NPA 18042. The owner is Jose uh Porz and 1525 02:27:41,680 --> 02:27:49,439 is that Bernicea Rodriguez. Um 69 adjacent property owners were 1526 02:27:47,680 --> 02:27:51,920 notified and it was published in the press. 1527 02:27:49,920 --> 02:27:55,399 » Thank you to the gentleman. Um is the applicant present? 1528 02:27:55,680 --> 02:28:02,520 Anybody that wishes to speak at this hearing? I'm going to have you sworn in 1529 02:27:59,520 --> 02:28:02,520 now. 1530 02:28:18,560 --> 02:28:21,120 Does it tell me this property was posted? 1531 02:28:20,399 --> 02:28:25,600 » Yes, it was. >> Mr. Nitzki, 1532 02:28:22,399 --> 02:28:27,280 » sir, it's the one by my house. >> Sorry. 1533 02:28:26,080 --> 02:28:30,280 » The one by my house. >> Oh. 1534 02:28:32,688 --> 02:28:39,439 » [clears throat] >> Folks, I have been alerted by our board 1535 02:28:36,160 --> 02:28:44,800 chairman that he lives two doors from this property. So, he will recuse 1536 02:28:41,600 --> 02:28:51,040 himself from participation not only in the hearing but in this vote. Okay. 1537 02:28:48,800 --> 02:28:54,680 Thank you. Who is the vice? 1538 02:28:55,040 --> 02:29:01,800 So, the hearing will be overseen by our vice chair, Mr. Lope sack. 1539 02:29:04,240 --> 02:29:12,120 » How you guys doing tonight? Um, can you start with your name and address for the 1540 02:29:09,120 --> 02:29:12,120 record? 1541 02:29:16,319 --> 02:29:20,120 » My name Jose Pesc. 1542 02:29:23,680 --> 02:29:33,439 Thank you. Um, Alexis Nunees, um, 136 East West Street, Wing Gap, PA. 1543 02:29:31,120 --> 02:29:36,720 » I'm sorry, Mr. Nunees. What was that? >> Um, my last name, 1544 02:29:34,720 --> 02:29:43,240 » your um, address, please. >> 136 East West Street, Windgap. 1545 02:29:43,520 --> 02:29:48,319 » Thank you. >> Thank you, gentlemen. Well, you got 1546 02:29:46,880 --> 02:29:51,760 starting. Tell us why you're here. >> Yeah, I'm just here. I'm just helping 1547 02:29:49,600 --> 02:29:55,760 him out. Just translating. I don't know much about the property. 1548 02:29:54,000 --> 02:29:57,760 That's why he told me on the way on the ride here. 1549 02:29:57,359 --> 02:30:00,000 » Okay. >> Yeah. 1550 02:29:58,319 --> 02:30:03,920 » Um well, you guys have to kind of explain 1551 02:30:01,840 --> 02:30:08,000 to us why you need some of these variances to do what you're uh looking 1552 02:30:06,160 --> 02:30:14,319 to do. >> Um he wants to convert the single family 1553 02:30:10,240 --> 02:30:18,080 into a a duplex and I think we're here because it doesn't have any street 1554 02:30:15,680 --> 02:30:25,200 parking. I mean any um off streetet parking. 1555 02:30:19,520 --> 02:30:30,160 » Uh that's one thing. So, we have um minimum lot width required. Your 1556 02:30:27,680 --> 02:30:35,600 proposed is a little bit smaller. So, that's outside of the the framework. Um 1557 02:30:32,960 --> 02:30:40,399 street trees should be planted along the street. You're proposing no street 1558 02:30:37,520 --> 02:30:45,439 trees. Uh yes, the parking two off streetet parking spaces are needed. You 1559 02:30:41,920 --> 02:30:52,160 have zero. Um and then maximum impervious coverage not to exceed 50%. 1560 02:30:49,200 --> 02:30:55,160 uh your existing impervious coverage is 68. 1561 02:30:55,680 --> 02:31:07,240 So you guys got to tell us why you need, you know, a little bit of 1562 02:31:04,000 --> 02:31:07,240 to be honest. 1563 02:31:23,439 --> 02:31:29,359 He was talking about adding a kitchen. I don't think that has to do with the 1564 02:31:28,000 --> 02:31:33,280 various things you guys are talking about. [clears throat] 1565 02:31:31,280 --> 02:31:38,000 » Why does he need to have a two unit instead of the existing single family? 1566 02:31:35,439 --> 02:31:43,359 » Oh, he just needs help with the mortgage and he's he don't want to do it like, 1567 02:31:40,880 --> 02:31:48,479 you know, like off like without permits and stuff. He want to follow the rule. 1568 02:31:46,240 --> 02:31:51,359 » Okay. But the rule says he has to have two additional parking spaces. 1569 02:31:50,720 --> 02:31:55,640 » Yeah. >> How how do we get around that? 1570 02:32:17,040 --> 02:32:21,080 How long has he owned the property? 1571 02:32:23,680 --> 02:32:28,200 » Six. >> Six years. 1572 02:32:28,560 --> 02:32:35,920 and has had the same mortgage in place for those six years. 1573 02:32:33,600 --> 02:32:41,920 » Yeah. Okay. What 1574 02:32:38,720 --> 02:32:48,439 um I guess he just recently divorced with his wife, so he needs help. Like 1575 02:32:44,240 --> 02:32:48,439 his wife was helping him pay. 1576 02:32:49,280 --> 02:32:53,840 » Could you consider roommates instead of building? 1577 02:32:52,080 --> 02:32:58,960 » Yeah, I was telling him the same thing. I said just get some roommates and we'll 1578 02:32:56,560 --> 02:33:03,600 just help out. You don't need no permits and stuff for roommates 1579 02:33:01,760 --> 02:33:10,319 » because [clears throat] he hasn't given us anything that would 1580 02:33:07,520 --> 02:33:13,359 meet the criterion of a hardship. >> Yeah. 1581 02:33:10,800 --> 02:33:17,680 » For the board to say, "Okay, just wave the two parking spaces that are 1582 02:33:15,040 --> 02:33:20,399 required." >> Even if his wife is no longer there 1583 02:33:19,439 --> 02:33:24,479 helping him out, >> that's 1584 02:33:22,319 --> 02:33:28,720 not really a legal hardship under the law. 1585 02:33:26,399 --> 02:33:32,880 I'm sure it's a personal hardship for him, but it's not a legal hardship 1586 02:33:30,720 --> 02:33:35,880 relative to the property itself. >> Understand? 1587 02:33:37,760 --> 02:33:42,200 » No, it's just one a single family. 1588 02:33:47,200 --> 02:33:50,200 » Correct. 1589 02:33:54,720 --> 02:34:02,040 He said that he will be living in the house as well. So, he would only need 1590 02:33:58,319 --> 02:34:02,040 one extra parking 1591 02:34:04,319 --> 02:34:10,479 » and there's nowhere there's no backyard or 1592 02:34:08,800 --> 02:34:14,200 um alleyway or anything in the back where he can make parking. 1593 02:34:23,760 --> 02:34:26,760 trees 1594 02:34:34,906 --> 02:34:39,319 [clears throat] exist. 1595 02:34:56,000 --> 02:34:59,000 parking. 1596 02:35:11,520 --> 02:35:18,399 It's exactly Yeah. I mean that is an existing 1597 02:35:15,840 --> 02:35:23,000 condition as is the lot width. >> Right. 1598 02:35:20,000 --> 02:35:23,000 » Yep. 1599 02:35:24,399 --> 02:35:26,880 » Right. 1600 02:35:32,547 --> 02:35:34,566 » [clears throat] 1601 02:35:36,640 --> 02:35:46,800 » Um, yeah, I just said it's it's the existing law is is one thing that you 1602 02:35:44,880 --> 02:35:52,160 can't change and you can't change the impervious surface, but the parking 1603 02:35:49,200 --> 02:35:55,280 spaces, there's no place at all that you can 1604 02:35:53,680 --> 02:36:00,960 like have you don't have any land in the back that you have a alleyway or 1605 02:35:57,840 --> 02:36:05,240 something behind the property where you can make parking spots. 1606 02:36:09,120 --> 02:36:16,040 » It says um it's too small. >> Too small 1607 02:36:12,399 --> 02:36:16,040 » in the back. Yeah. 1608 02:36:33,439 --> 02:36:42,240 Since since the only reason you've given for 1609 02:36:39,200 --> 02:36:46,479 wanting this or needing it is monetary, where is he going to get the money to 1610 02:36:44,000 --> 02:36:50,960 install separate meters, to install a full kitchen, to install 1611 02:36:49,840 --> 02:36:54,319 » bathroom >> firep? separation of between the two 1612 02:36:53,600 --> 02:36:59,760 units >> if I'm not mistaken according to what he 1613 02:36:56,640 --> 02:37:04,720 told me on the right here was that they did a cash out refinance and if when 1614 02:37:02,240 --> 02:37:10,000 they separated and he got some of the money from the cash out refinance and 1615 02:37:07,600 --> 02:37:12,960 then he going to use some of that to make it 1616 02:37:11,200 --> 02:37:18,640 » then why doesn't he use some of that cash to help pay the mortgage 1617 02:37:16,560 --> 02:37:23,439 » and then look for a roommate >> Yeah, I know. and keep the parking uh 1618 02:37:21,520 --> 02:37:28,319 which I mean 1619 02:37:25,840 --> 02:37:33,920 are there neighbors here who can testify as to what the parking situation is in 1620 02:37:31,120 --> 02:37:39,280 the neighborhood? Ma'am, 1621 02:37:36,720 --> 02:37:44,600 go ahead. Mr. Vice Chair, is that okay? 1622 02:37:41,120 --> 02:37:44,600 » Yes. Okay. 1623 02:37:47,439 --> 02:37:58,640 » Hi, good evening. My name is Julie Zando Dennis. That's Z as in zebra. A N D O 1624 02:37:54,720 --> 02:38:03,760 hyphen Dennis. Um I live at 1032 Lehigh Street. So it's not on 12th, but um I 1625 02:38:01,120 --> 02:38:11,439 have lived in the West Ward for nearly 20 years and I also uh serve as the 1626 02:38:09,280 --> 02:38:18,080 council member representing the West Ward. I've been in uh conversations with 1627 02:38:14,319 --> 02:38:24,160 public works at the city um on numerous occasions to try to come up with 1628 02:38:21,920 --> 02:38:27,680 solutions to what I consider to be an acute parking problem in the 1629 02:38:26,160 --> 02:38:30,560 neighborhood um >> in this neighborhood or in the westward 1630 02:38:29,920 --> 02:38:33,920 in general. >> Well, the south side of Northampton, 1631 02:38:32,319 --> 02:38:39,359 which is our neighborhood, both the applicants and my own. So, the north 1632 02:38:36,319 --> 02:38:45,520 side uh has some parking problems, but not the density that it has on the south 1633 02:38:42,240 --> 02:38:51,840 side of Northampton from 6 to 15th Street. And um 1634 02:38:48,960 --> 02:38:56,960 this situation is dire um and in large part because of these conversions. Um 1635 02:38:54,800 --> 02:39:04,000 there have been discussions by community activists for many many years really 1636 02:38:59,680 --> 02:39:07,840 ever since I've moved to Easton about um first of all the history of conversions 1637 02:39:06,319 --> 02:39:11,760 how single family homes have been converted into multi-unit homes. 1638 02:39:10,240 --> 02:39:16,640 Sometimes a workers row home has been converted 1639 02:39:14,399 --> 02:39:21,760 into three apartments. We're talking about a 20 foot wide workers row home. 1640 02:39:19,439 --> 02:39:30,319 Um in many many instances I've seen that in the west ward. um and uh how those 1641 02:39:27,680 --> 02:39:36,080 conversions destroy the fabric, the social fabric of the community. And I'm 1642 02:39:32,720 --> 02:39:42,319 not being anti- renter. Uh many renters are very responsible, but the nature of 1643 02:39:39,600 --> 02:39:47,680 let's say a homeowner versus a renter is that uh a renter's more most likely 1644 02:39:45,280 --> 02:39:54,479 going to be a transient through the neighborhood and is not going to invest 1645 02:39:49,760 --> 02:40:02,479 in the way that um a homeowner would. So I mean I have you asked me to talk 1646 02:39:58,000 --> 02:40:09,040 about parking. Um uh there's there are during snow removal, it's just a crisis. 1647 02:40:06,720 --> 02:40:17,120 Um during the summer months, um there are 1648 02:40:12,000 --> 02:40:22,960 many streets that are too narrow to park um on the street. So people are have to 1649 02:40:19,200 --> 02:40:27,359 go up onto the sidewalks. And then as a council member, I've received a number 1650 02:40:24,640 --> 02:40:33,280 of complaints about people's sidewalks cracking or, you know, uh getting 1651 02:40:30,160 --> 02:40:41,056 damaged because cars, you know, parked like on the sidewalk. And there's really 1652 02:40:36,080 --> 02:40:45,280 no alternative in many instances. And um [clears throat] that area around 12 is, 1653 02:40:43,520 --> 02:40:49,240 you know, is as dense as any. 1654 02:40:50,240 --> 02:40:57,200 I'm happy to talk about other issues, but you know, just 1655 02:40:54,640 --> 02:41:01,200 giving precedence to the parking issue. And also, um, just so you know, the 1656 02:40:59,680 --> 02:41:06,240 conversations I've had with public works, 1657 02:41:03,120 --> 02:41:15,760 you know, we don't know if it's a, uh, a lack of parking management or, uh, 1658 02:41:11,840 --> 02:41:21,520 what or potentially like as Dave Hopkins says at public works, um, like 1659 02:41:19,920 --> 02:41:27,200 60 pounds of potatoes that you're trying to stuff into a 10 pound bag. Um I might 1660 02:41:25,359 --> 02:41:31,200 be quoting that a little a little off, but 1661 02:41:28,880 --> 02:41:38,080 um my suspicion is it's actually a little of both. You know, I think that 1662 02:41:33,680 --> 02:41:44,560 there are too many cars um in large part because of these conversions and I also 1663 02:41:41,680 --> 02:41:49,600 think that you know there hasn't been any efforts to try to manage those cars 1664 02:41:47,439 --> 02:41:54,800 and there could be some efforts but the difficulty is for example parallel that 1665 02:41:52,160 --> 02:41:59,760 not parallel but diagonal parking. Um the streets are are simply not wide 1666 02:41:56,560 --> 02:42:04,960 enough to accommodate that. Um, so I've gone over that with Dave many times and 1667 02:42:03,359 --> 02:42:11,439 we're sort of batting it back and forth and there is a proposal potentially to 1668 02:42:07,760 --> 02:42:15,680 uh institute registration of cars just so that we have a sense of what we're 1669 02:42:13,760 --> 02:42:21,200 looking at, how many cars there are so that then we can go to the next step and 1670 02:42:17,760 --> 02:42:27,920 try to um uh come up with some solutions. But it's the situation's 1671 02:42:25,280 --> 02:42:30,319 a a critical stage. 1672 02:42:29,760 --> 02:42:34,520 » So, >> thank you. 1673 02:42:31,520 --> 02:42:34,520 » Welcome. 1674 02:42:41,760 --> 02:42:47,359 » You just got to go to the mic because it's being recorded. That's all. 1675 02:42:45,680 --> 02:42:50,359 » So, if anybody's at home, they can hear you. 1676 02:42:56,800 --> 02:43:03,120 I'm sorry, Mr. Eli. Can we have your address again, please? 1677 02:42:59,280 --> 02:43:11,280 » Sure. Sure. 305 West Monroe Street, Kurt Elely, Ehl Y. Um, for a significant 1678 02:43:08,960 --> 02:43:17,120 number of years, I was involved in the steering committee of the Westward 1679 02:43:14,240 --> 02:43:22,800 Neighborhood Partnership. And during that period of time, many 1680 02:43:19,200 --> 02:43:29,040 many discussions occurred about the conversion process and the impact that 1681 02:43:25,920 --> 02:43:34,080 that had on the west ward. In fact, I thought that there was a moratorum. 1682 02:43:31,760 --> 02:43:39,680 Pam, am I correct? Do you recall any of that? that there was at a time back, 1683 02:43:37,040 --> 02:43:43,840 we're talking probably 15, 20 years ago, >> there may have been that 1684 02:43:40,880 --> 02:43:50,319 » where there was a decision made by council to not allow conversions that 1685 02:43:47,760 --> 02:43:56,960 they had to come to an end. I'm not sure when the process sort of changed and 1686 02:43:53,359 --> 02:44:04,080 went in the other direction, but um the impact of those conversions in every 1687 02:44:00,960 --> 02:44:12,000 every aspect of their life in the West Wart is was and still is impacted by the 1688 02:44:09,279 --> 02:44:14,880 number of people. >> Unfortunately, and I I understand what 1689 02:44:13,520 --> 02:44:18,880 you're getting at. I don't mean to cut you off, but they're not asking for a 1690 02:44:16,880 --> 02:44:21,359 use variance here because, correct me if I'm wrong, but this the use is 1691 02:44:20,479 --> 02:44:22,240 permitted. Correct. >> That's correct. 1692 02:44:21,920 --> 02:44:27,560 » Okay. >> Oh, I understand that. I'm I'm just 1693 02:44:24,240 --> 02:44:27,560 saying that 1694 02:44:28,080 --> 02:44:35,920 if there are all of these other issues that you have pointed out the I mean I 1695 02:44:33,760 --> 02:44:40,880 don't I didn't count them all but it was more than a handful it felt like of 1696 02:44:38,560 --> 02:44:47,520 variances that are going to be required to allow in effect another conversion of 1697 02:44:44,720 --> 02:44:53,359 a single family home. I I'm just asking that you really 1698 02:44:49,920 --> 02:44:56,000 recognize the significance of that and the impact of that. 1699 02:44:54,880 --> 02:45:02,080 » And I I don't want to speak for the whole board for for myself. I I pretty 1700 02:44:59,600 --> 02:45:06,880 I'm I'm a real estate professional. So, we also have a housing crisis. So, we do 1701 02:45:04,479 --> 02:45:11,200 struggle here and I'm sure council members understand the homelessness that 1702 02:45:09,040 --> 02:45:14,000 we see every day, the struggle to keep up with rents, 1703 02:45:12,399 --> 02:45:19,760 » an individual trying to keep his home afloat with today's economic situations. 1704 02:45:16,800 --> 02:45:26,880 So, we all struggle with the parking. I will say as a Westward resident, I know 1705 02:45:23,680 --> 02:45:31,520 families that own homes that own six to eight cars. 1706 02:45:28,800 --> 02:45:36,960 So, whether you convert one house into two apartments, hopefully they have two 1707 02:45:33,920 --> 02:45:42,720 cars. I know I know families that have six cars, four of them are broken down, 1708 02:45:39,840 --> 02:45:46,640 three are operating. So, as you know, council members mentioned, 1709 02:45:45,120 --> 02:45:52,800 it's going to be difficult because there's no law as to how many cars you 1710 02:45:49,120 --> 02:45:58,080 can publicly park or publicly own. So, it's a it's a it's it's a great thing. I 1711 02:45:55,439 --> 02:46:03,840 I I I wish him the best because I don't know how to alleviate it without 1712 02:46:01,120 --> 02:46:08,000 basically cutting off public parking to folks, your friends, your neighbors. You 1713 02:46:05,600 --> 02:46:13,880 have a birthday party, they might not be allowed on your street. [clears throat] 1714 02:46:09,920 --> 02:46:13,880 So, it's a slippery slope. 1715 02:46:14,800 --> 02:46:22,399 » Uh, interesting commentary. >> Yeah, I I we we I agree. I'm just trying 1716 02:46:20,240 --> 02:46:25,359 to The other side of that fence as a resident and up here as the board is the 1717 02:46:24,560 --> 02:46:30,160 housing crisis. >> Well, again, that that brings up another 1718 02:46:27,760 --> 02:46:37,279 important subject. We need affordable housing. We need that 1719 02:46:33,359 --> 02:46:44,479 across our city. all the houses or not houses, but the apartments being built 1720 02:46:41,439 --> 02:46:51,359 are priced at a way that doesn't help solve the problem that you're alluding 1721 02:46:46,800 --> 02:46:57,520 to. So, we we need a a plan and we've got a professional planner now in our 1722 02:46:53,920 --> 02:47:02,640 city. She happens to be here today. So my hope is that she will be given the 1723 02:47:00,000 --> 02:47:09,359 support to do the kind of planning that allows us to hopefully alleviate this 1724 02:47:06,560 --> 02:47:13,120 whole entire mix of problems. >> I do hope so. 1725 02:47:10,880 --> 02:47:18,560 » I mean basic economics is supply and demand. So more supply should equal, you 1726 02:47:17,120 --> 02:47:22,560 know, should help. >> We'll be able to work it out. 1727 02:47:19,920 --> 02:47:28,640 » Yeah. But adding an additional even if it's one car, even if it's only what at 1728 02:47:25,279 --> 02:47:33,600 beginning might be one person additional that becomes two or three. Yeah. 1729 02:47:31,040 --> 02:47:39,680 » Um I'm just saying there's a whole history of the problem that was caused 1730 02:47:36,479 --> 02:47:43,760 by conversion, the efforts made by the city to bring that to a close and where 1731 02:47:42,479 --> 02:47:46,319 we are today. >> I just thought that might be helpful. 1732 02:47:45,760 --> 02:47:50,120 That's all. >> Yeah. Thank you. 1733 02:47:46,960 --> 02:47:50,120 » Thank you. 1734 02:47:59,439 --> 02:48:07,479 So, um, >> anything else you gentlemen want to add? 1735 02:48:13,120 --> 02:48:18,319 » No, we're good. We're board's good. >> No, we're good. 1736 02:48:15,439 --> 02:48:21,520 » We're good. All right, close up 1737 02:51:12,640 --> 02:51:15,680 Mr. Lozac >> I 1738 02:51:14,399 --> 02:51:17,200 » Miss Panto >> Miss Thomas 1739 02:51:16,560 --> 02:51:22,880 » hi. >> All right. So it was denied um for the 1740 02:51:21,200 --> 02:51:31,000 situation but you know we wish you the best and probably look for a roommate 1741 02:51:25,600 --> 02:51:31,000 situation be a lot easier. Thank you.