[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6099478,"mediaKeyId","2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778","parentId",2817194,"title","Resident warns million-square-foot project could worsen traffic and strain sewers; councilor says he will write to PennDOT","audioSeconds",318,"startMs",2360000,"endMs",2678000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778&start=2360&end=2678","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778/thumbnail_2360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099478/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Resident-warns-million-square-foot-project-could-worsen-traffic-and-strain-sewers-councilor-says-he-will-write-to-PennDOT","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099478-7d1b81daad27a36dadef9cee8af4da7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225710&Signature=JeL3umVM25SR10uDso8EZnvxGFokR-Rz1bsCsFLJWB5cQabqnjbAgRTqKS-8pklizxrfPM7NKzLGkpuLgY8UJ~Fj7pMZOfWBHVF2zBIu7vqlAcjE5AEiaBd0PArpIe9L255nrfXJ5jHZjm5Z8DLhJduiLFeAUmczvFNQ9WMQ11vMqed1JuvYNpo4XiimRGNJnB-VVmKp-axorENl73vTMVmQoMfkQpPAFUWsEO4~QNb~YSfyGB3VeEY0aJA6TMX2OIisDo4gvvnZSL4371LjDW62LUnjbvpfRnBjlxPR~sO4pE7xPc8Oeu1LQDjEHfaAndLktZmqWmq3rItdPZf0Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-28T15:03:16Z","article","A resident told the Wilkes-Barre City Council on March 27 that proposed large developments in neighboring Wilkes-Barre Township and Ashley — including a project the resident described as a “million square foot” building — could worsen traffic on Route 309 and local roads and place additional strain on the city's aging sewer system.

Public commenter Bob Kalaboski said Route 309 and surrounding intersections have experienced numerous crashes and said emergency-service response could be impeded by higher traffic volumes from a large new development. He urged the city to request that PennDOT evaluate traffic impacts and noted prior flood history in nearby Goose Island.

Kalaboski also raised sewer-capacity concerns and asked whether Wilkes-Barre authorities could assess how much additional development the existing sewer system could support. He said he had asked the township for a traffic study and requested similar steps from the city.

Councilman Belishko responded directly to Kalaboski and said he would write to PennDOT about traffic impacts. Tim Henry, the city attorney, and other council members discussed how traffic and impact studies are typically required by the permitting jurisdiction and that requirements can depend on township rules and PennDOT standards.

No municipal vote or formal study directive was adopted at the March 27 meeting; council members encouraged further inquiry and intergovernmental coordination to determine whether additional traffic or sewer-capacity studies are required.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Wilkes-Barre Council Regular Session 3.27.25","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter asked the council to probe proposed large-scale development in Wilkes-Barre Township, saying Route 309 and local roads already see frequent crashes and the city's aging sewer lines could not support such a development; Councilman Belishko said he would write to PennDOT.","taxTitle","Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania","taxId",56675,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6099483,"Wilkes-Barre officials point to April 9 PUC hearing on UGI rate request; mayor says he wrote letter prompting hearing",372,1301000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778&start=1301&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778/thumbnail_1301000.jpg","/articles/6099483/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Wilkes-Barre-officials-point-to-April-9-PUC-hearing-on-UGI-rate-request-mayor-says-he-wrote-letter-prompting-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099483-9e79c6df95a3b0eec37cd3cfdd2ff991/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225710&Signature=AGyjc3521sQ-hYBKnYAlh8I0BUenEi3NT31TeJSCc5ZnU3qYAw81bSvqsUd-HOESsU~ztiPbu7h6kmF2xyERZM6i-0OqSsgXrtDHZfT7oni8~iNZx7vEmYRTRK-ImqrDeTe8RKg2RsqwfhWjAay2Rl60o1Si5muIe37BDL9Le4D6SALrijQ-1xk2OqhYyqxg8sxQoCALGuu-jPOvW3noFvXCS3miBb50U5a85199WTIWo-YsfzfwmBjArlf-fmaG7yZbxQXR9SDUg3lzpS3ZdBRvptb91cI7G8S4PYvO1bR3OxHOo3hPfAm0WenN20t9VpPHHxJ~P6e3vPgvfrVr3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members and residents urged public participation in an upcoming Public Utility Commission (PUC) hearing on UGI's proposed natural-gas rate increase after officials said council correspondence prompted the agency to schedule a local hearing.

A public commenter urged the city to protest UGI's proposed rate increase. Mayor George Brown said he had written a letter to the PUC secretary and that a hearing will be held on April 9 at 1 p.m. in council chambers. Brown said he will attend the hearing and encouraged residents to participate.

Public commenter Sam Troy described impacts on constituents with fixed incomes and said the rate increase would be especially harmful to residents on Social Security. Brown and council members reiterated the opportunity for residents to address the PUC directly at the April 9 proceeding and provided contact information for local elected officials who can also be called about the matter.

No formal municipal position was adopted during the March 27 meeting. Officials said the scheduled PUC hearing is an opportunity for residents and municipal representatives to present testimony.","Officials told the March 27 council meeting that a Public Utility Commission hearing on a UGI natural-gas rate request will be held April 9 following a letter from council leadership; residents were urged to attend and express concerns about potential increases.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6099488,"Residents and mayor debate stormwater fee and aging sewer infrastructure; city cites large repair estimate",62,1768000,1830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778&start=1768&end=1830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778/thumbnail_1768000.jpg","/articles/6099488/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-and-mayor-debate-stormwater-fee-and-aging-sewer-infrastructure-city-cites-large-repair-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099488-4ed246b6ac3db109b10aa2cc3a9891b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225710&Signature=Cr2J-WCPFEz6O8Twh1L1oLXv~OCwumFQajY5Dwaw8tvGkYX8x6xTGn6re7St9frxGEHDY5jOhLbCljlaFW0mXWAiVRSvY2aTzjzGtQBMrvxF1Gjpgf6iY22HiqdVpyGMvSuDupDMLCgYtWMcGp1InVwdkgOdzCfDzj1U~dSbxMMoy7k1gF4awHgCJWcb2V28~WwTwA9WR8q0Spc9F3u4yVPpI7KA3qJyqHcvzig8-ZwJ1rD1KEXFq7Xwgc-6aRhW8xrL~tAbb3p1m~Q7VUWnKUJeNtI7rpW482LJ9iMNIT~ADnw0wUby19~iUO8MnKWJXxdyc2YKsXR44kivJ2bXxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and council members raised questions about a $50 stormwater/sewer fee and the condition of Wilkes-Barre's sewer system during public comment at the March 27 City Council meeting.

Public commenter Sam Troy outlined what he described as major needs in the city's sewer system, saying the pipes are more than 100 years old and “probably around $90,000,000 of repairs has to be done to the sewer lines.” He questioned whether the $50 fee could be eliminated or reduced when, he said, the city receives reimbursements from the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority (WVSA).

City officials responded that the city does receive federal funds that flow through the state to the city for public-health work and that the sewer system has required expensive emergency repairs. Mayor George Brown said the city had recently paid large sums to repair breaks and emphasized the system's age and depth: “The lines are 30 feet in the ground, Sam. That's a lot,” he said.

Troy said he believed about $200,000 comes back to the city's budget from WVSA for stormwater projects; officials did not provide a precise accounting at the meeting. Brown and others said the $50 fee remains low compared with surrounding municipalities and that the fee helps fund necessary repairs and emergency responses.

The discussion included references to WVSA officials (Andy Riley and Sam Gusto) and the authority's role in stormwater mitigation; council members suggested WVSA materials could be posted online to inform residents. No vote or ordinance was taken at the March 27 meeting on the stormwater fee; council members encouraged residents to pursue information from WVSA and the city to clarify how stormwater funds are allocated.","Speakers at the March 27 meeting discussed the city sewer system's condition, a $50 per-household stormwater fee, and funds from the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority; a resident said repairs could total about $90 million and questioned whether the fee could be reduced given WVSA reimbursements.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6099493,"Councilors discuss South Valley Land Bank activity and zoning limits for housing types",135,532000,667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778&start=532&end=667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778/thumbnail_532000.jpg","/articles/6099493/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Councilors-discuss-South-Valley-Land-Bank-activity-and-zoning-limits-for-housing-types","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099493-821dec9374699742022b24550156bc66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225710&Signature=c1B0N1P2ivCzOoYvX9~NdABcIQg7ndBhw8lkaKfIJ~jt8lccfzrXham6UfNVxF6-GbZ5jiFwrFG-ZLcevYKf~sBbm3kwsYLo48Ip1g2vvefN6lJcCzg3-KC9EHPN4agrll1q24qhA1yIE7K2qIFf9QGoksv33FCHj9-ERvgv6qzOAp3Zi46Y5WwkbUgObCfTNOa9w0N87W4A~qkVTX0YyELLUbYr~l-ZncDl~J2zYvhFJnEI9j17e4XExfw93RyaApUDCZ5jL7B4saa2LZmvDPpdrvJNwleU8D-KVXNuzltKoVq7MvzdUWRKvsU1O~UmN~fpG3I2WZd0xS61LCh0kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A council member raised affordable-housing concerns tied to zoning after reporting a sign for sale on a West Ross Street lot held by the Lower South Side Land Bank. Mayor George Brown and other officials reported the land bank recently acquired eight properties and said several have prospective purchasers.

During the March 27 meeting, a council member described classroom observations that many students are newly arrived to Wilkes-Barre and linked that to a need for more diverse housing types. The council member said single-family zoning on West Ross Street could limit development of denser housing such as duplexes or multi-unit buildings that might increase affordable options.

Mayor Brown said, “Tony, there's 8 properties, you're right, that the Lower South Side Land Bank had purchased,” and added that purchasers have been active and that there are plans for one large lot on South Franklin Street to be developed for housing. Council members said residents or developers can request more information directly from the land bank.

Council members discussed whether purchasers of land-bank parcels are required to provide permanently affordable housing; officials said the properties, once privately owned, are subject to market terms and “it’s their property,” but returning parcels to private ownership will restore tax revenue to the city.

No council action was taken at the meeting to change zoning or adopt a policy tied to the land-bank parcels. Council members suggested staff and the land bank provide more detailed information about zoning and intended uses for the acquired lots.","Council members and the mayor said the Lower South Side Land Bank has purchased eight city parcels; speakers noted West Ross Street parcels are zoned single-family and suggested exploring different housing types to address affordability.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6099498,"Wilkes-Barre mayor says letters will go to owners to remove graffiti; city to repurpose park fencing",29,271000,300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778&start=271&end=300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2817194-04e77d4dc720bc5924765440b9abc778/thumbnail_271000.jpg","/articles/6099498/Wilkes-Barre/Luzerne-County/Pennsylvania/Wilkes-Barre-mayor-says-letters-will-go-to-owners-to-remove-graffiti-city-to-repurpose-park-fencing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099498-665953fbd13c8f958ec39a6b07997edf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225710&Signature=BY-khjp7LhcII4-2E2asu1d98S8n-AyiWN~9f2xXvSDqVBdwLIL9Ev9FFWZqOPxdkN0BF12lJuXtw3Jlh922Qqh8FNCaM9YedRjYDQeGqT5zK9XS~o-Jgvf2X6PINRMPVrX5odN8oQsB3zVOALQ~XGY3B1y3vf7nDdkatq4iSy0V7qPNJKJdl2vfv7TwKf5yOIbedoX3n5v2GT2seE3r60rUc5Q89G4ekYW0MYlGC~DsOG0BqQY-nEX5gIQ6yp80-9Mzdr1~t73~GtFpfbhE8iDiLMH6EQVgaT3lhI8lPitvtesZRXfT1ECt~iCgzrRs5ynk1wtF7SnChoD1MOtsBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor George Brown said the city will begin sending letters to property and business owners requiring the removal of graffiti, and warned owners could face fines or have the city remove the graffiti and bill them for the work.

Brown told the Wilkes-Barre City Council on March 27 that “if it's a business or a building owner has to move it, those letters are gonna be going out shortly,” adding that owners who fail to comply could face fines or have the city remove the graffiti and request payment. The statement came during council presentations and later in public comment when residents asked about fences and park use.

The issue came up during council members' updates and again in public comment after a resident asked why fences were removed at the Mayflower site. A city staff speaker identified as Stan said the fence removal was part of repurposing materials and to remove an “attractive nuisance” at a vandalized concession stand. Stan explained the city plans to open the emptied area as green space, preserve a few monuments and “fix it up like we've done across the city with, you know, a little nicer look.”

Council members said enforcement will be handled through the city's code-enforcement process. Brown said staff instructed the health department and code enforcement to begin sending notices; he also said the city has a process to remove graffiti and recover costs from owners when appropriate.

Public commenter John Toski asked specifically why the Mayflower fences were removed, noting that some residents had used the space informally. City staff replied that the city will reuse some fencing at the bog and that the concession stand area had been repeatedly vandalized, making removal necessary for liability reasons.

The council did not take a formal vote on a new ordinance at the meeting; officials described current practice and enforcement actions as the next steps.

The matter of park reuse and graffiti removal is expected to proceed through existing code-enforcement channels; officials said notices will be mailed soon and that staff will follow up with enforcement or cost recovery as allowed.","Mayor George Brown told council that the city will issue letters to property and business owners to remove graffiti or face fines; officials said fencing removed at Mayflower will be reused and Hubert Park concession stand work is proceeding as equipment becomes available.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident warns million-square-foot project could worsen traffic and strain sewers; councilor says he will write to PennDOT

Wilkes-Barre officials point to April 9 PUC hearing on UGI rate request; mayor says he wrote letter prompting hearing

Residents and mayor debate stormwater fee and aging sewer infrastructure; city cites large repair estimate

Councilors discuss South Valley Land Bank activity and zoning limits for housing types

Wilkes-Barre mayor says letters will go to owners to remove graffiti; city to repurpose park fencing