Former Barney's Steak Shop to Remain Empty, Six Other Easton Zoning Applications Approved

By Christina Georgiou

 An application for a mini-grocery and sandwich shop at the former Barney's Steak Shop in Easton's Southside neighborhood was denied 4-1 at a Zoning Hearing Board meeting, while six other applications for a variety of uses at other locations in the city were unanimously approved Monday evening.

The proposed shop application, at 156 West Nesquehoning St., which was planned to be a small “grocery store with bread, milk, cold sandwiches and, if possible, hot sandwiches on a grill, done the proper way,” was opposed by most members of the board. Members said they felt the shop would disrupt the residential neighborhood by causing potential garbage and parking issues, and that there are better uses for the space, which has been vacant for a decade.

“I know Barney's was there before, but I see it as setting a precedent, putting a restaurant in a residential neighborhood,” said board member Michael Civitella.

“I think there are more appropriate kinds of businesses that could go in a residential neighborhood,” said board member Michael Brett, adding that there are other nearby areas that could host the business.

“I think when Barney was there, it was a neighborhood-type of place, and everyone walked back then,” said board member Pamela Panto. “I don't think it's appropriate.”

The board majority seemed to be responding to the thoughts of neighbors Michael and Gail Groman, who testified they had concerns about the impact such a business would have on residents.

“There is limited parking as it is right now,” said Michael Groman. “It will have ramifications.”

“It's going to be a lot of noise,” said Gail Groman, who also worried that deliveries in an alley behind the location would be difficult, since a tenant in the same building as the proposed shop also has parking in the space.

The lone dissenting vote came from zoning board chairman James Edinger.

“I guess I'm the only one who feels different,” Edinger said. “A convenience-type store doesn't (cause much nuisance). We had one in my neighborhood—90 percent of the traffic is foot traffic. In my opinion, it's a good fit.”

Sigal Museum Gets Permission for Permanent Banner

An application for a temporary banner by the Sigal Museum on Northampton Street in the city's Downtown was amended to be a permanent addition to the building's facade and unanimously approved by the board as well on Monday evening.

The museum, owned and operated by the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, is being overlooked by city visitors who fail to notice the museum's name on the building, testified Barbara Kowitz, the museum's director.

“More often than not, people walk by and don't know that The Sigal is,” she said. “We feel the need to similarly advertise to other museums around the country.”

The banner, which will remain up “24/7, 52 weeks a year,” is planned to be approximately 3 feet wide and 22 1/2 feet high, and will be anchored by a framework bolted through the structural steel of the building, she testified.

The application, originally for temporary banner permission, was amended to be a permanent fixture after zoning hearing board solicitor Robert Nitchkey pointed out the board cannot give approval for a temporary banner without there being a fixed time limit on the installation.

Additionally, the application was amended for a smaller banner than the original request for a banner “up to 104 square feet” at the prior request of the Easton Historic District Commission.

Once the details of the request were defined, the board unanimously approved the banner, which Kowitz promised would be regularly replaced as wear and tear from the elements take their toll.

“It's difficult to identify the building as it is,” Edinger noted.

Bicycle Rental Business to Open in Hugh Moore Park

Zoning board members unanimously approved the application of Henry Meeker to run a bicycle rental business in Hugh Moore Park as well.

The proposal came before the board for a special exception because the site lies in the 500-year flood plain.

Meeker testified that the bikes, up to 40 in all, will be stored inside the Emrick Center when not in use. He plans to start with nine bicycles and expand as demand dictates, and will also lead bike tours in the park on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday through Sunday, April through October.

“But I would like to rent the bikes whenever demand dictates. If people would like to rent bikes in the winter, I'd like to make money,” Meeker said. “The goal is to have field trips, student groups, etcetera.”

None of the bikes will be motorized, he testified, and additional equipment to be stored in the Emrick Center will include helmets and a child trailer.

The business will be prohibited from operating in the event of a flood warning, and if it's so successful that he needs more than 40 bicycles, he will have to appear again before the board for further approval, conditions

Meeker seemed happy to accept.

“If I need more than 40 bikes, I think we'll have to work on getting a separate structure,” he said.

New Sports Bar Gets Parking Requirement Relief

Rivals sports bar and restaurant, planned for 5-7 Lehn's Court in the space formerly occupied by Club Beyond, was granted permission to expand from 36 to 102 seats and was additionally granted relief from the city's parking requirements by the zoning hearing board.

Matthew Cocheran and David Mandochick, both Downtown Easton residents and owner and manager respectively of the Pig Pen sports bar in Allentown, testified the expansion is necessary to the viability of the planned new business, and that providing additional parking for patrons is infeasible, given the location of the property, which they are conditionally under agreement to purchase.

The only opposition to their plan came from members of the Desai family, owners of Jack's Market at 222 Northampton St., who were recently denied their request to expand their business to include a beer distributorship at that location, partially on the basis of insufficient parking for the endeavor.

“Why would the city allow restaurant expansion when it won't allow expansion of a business in the 200 block?” asked Roshni Desai. “Even if there is a two-hour limit (at metered street parking), they'd be taking away parking from other businesses.”

However, board members did not seem to agree with the opinion.

“We have a parking deck, and we have other facilities for parking. It's not a fly-by-night outfit,” said Pamela Panto, adding that she has faith in the experience the owners of Rivals will bring to the new restaurant. “It's a good use of the building, and one more building not vacant and on our tax rolls.”

Clothing Consignment Shop to Open on 600 Block of Northampton Street

A application to open a thrift and consignment clothing shop at 637 Northampton St. was unanimously approved with little discussion as well at Monday's meeting.

Jennifer Jones testified the shop, planned in the location of a former nail salon, is planned to be open Tuesdays through Saturdays and being a consignment shop, will not take deliveries from large trucks nor
deliver large goods. She additionally said she plans to run the shop herself.

“Hopefully, as I grow, I'll need to hire someone,” Jones said.

She plans to officially open for business the first or second week of September.

Small Day Care, Garage Conversion Also Approved

In other business, the zoning hearing board also gave a nod to a small in-home day care, to care for no more than three children at 1313 Liberty St., as well as the conversion of a turn-of-the-century carriage house garage into a single-family residence on Parker Avenue on College Hill.

The day care will be run by Julieta Frey out of the home she shares with Dario Sanchez and their child, and will be subject to state license and registration requirements, the board said, adding that the small size of the operation is not expected to cause any disruption to neighbors, none of who appeared to testify at the hearing.

While some neighbors did express concern about possible drainage and run-off issues for the Parker Avenue project, board members noted that the plan would not change the footprint of the existing structure, which owner Mary Ann Dwyer and her husband hope to add a second story to and occupy themselves.

Photos added Wednesday, August 22 at 5:18 a.m.