Zoning board allows business
CONNELLSVILLE – A city businessman and his partner will be permitted to operate a recreational vehicle sales lot on his 12th Street property. By a 4-1 margin, the city Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) approved the variance request for Geno Gallo and Audrey Booher that would allow the commercial use of the site.
“It’s been a long time, but I’m really happy,” said Gallo following the Thursday session. “I think there was some confusion last year (when the matter was first presented), but that’s all been worked out.”
The area is located at the southern edge of the city, along Route 119 and adjacent to Dunbar Township.
Those voting in favor of the zoning change – board chairman John Coleman along with members Rodney Haines, Sean Pilla and Paul Gross – did so with the stipulation that the business be conducted only between the hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and that only trailers, recreational vehicles and pull-behind trailers be sold by the proprietors.
Additionally, no wrecked or junk vehicles of any kind can be stored at the site.
Employees will only be permitted to utilize two-way radios during the work hours for communication and the owners must establish a landscaped and fence buffer zone between the rezoned property and neighboring residential properties.
Coleman said that the business will not be permitted to utilize an undeveloped roadway known as Wood Street and must enclose all remaining business property with fencing.
The business will be subject to inspections by the city code officer or zoning officer to determine continued compliance to the stipulations, added Coleman.
Board member Barry Noel cast the lone dissenting vote.
Last year, the panel denied the request, noting residential concerns about the development.
Gallo and Booher, through their attorney, Richard Bower, appealed the decision that was returned by the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas to the local panel for further consideration.
In May, several homeowners again voiced their displeasure with the business, noting that it is a quiet neighborhood that would be disrupted by additional traffic.
“These streets are used by people who ride bikes, walk their kids, push baby strollers, jog (and) walk,” said Patricia May of her opposition to the rezoning.
Gallo, meanwhile, said he does not anticipate opening the business until next year.