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Scranton Zoning Board approves several applications, denies one, tables others
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Summary
The Zoning Hearing Board approved special exceptions and variances for a Pittston Avenue grocery, 501–503 Cedar residential conversion, a DDAP-licensed transitional residence at 819 Jefferson, and a New York Street two-family conversion; it denied one apartment conversion near Marywood College and tabled multiple cases for further documentation or cleanup.
The City of Scranton Zoning Hearing Board voted on multiple cases at its January 2026 meeting, issuing a mix of approvals, one denial and several tablings.
What the board approved
- 1225 Pittston Avenue (R9): A special exception to change a nonconforming retail florist to a small-scale grocery (applicant Ryan Dungel). The board approved the application by a 5–0 vote after confirming hours of operation (8 a.m. to midnight) and that no liquor license currently exists. The board discussed traffic, lighting and landscaping conditions prior to the vote.
- 501–503 Cedar Avenue: Cedar LLC’s variance to add two residential units was approved 5–0. The applicant described interior layouts and the board cited neighborhood revitalization and filling long-vacant commercial space as reasons to approve.
- 819 Jefferson Avenue: 8 19 Holdings LLC sought to change a nonconforming assisted-living facility to a Department of Drug and Alcohol Program (DDAP)-licensed transitional residential program (maximum capacity cited as 60 residents). The board heard operator testimony on staffing, transportation and medication observation protocols, and a planning expert concluded the proposed DDAP-licensed use would have equal or lesser external impacts than the prior assisted-living use. The board approved the change 5–0.
- 300 New York Street: Owner John Mello presented documentation that the structure contained two kitchens and egresses for two units; the board approved conversion to a two-family residence with the condition of providing two off-street paved parking spaces (vote 5–0).
What the board denied
- A bi-level property near Marywood College (applicant Sean Bingham) seeking conversion/variance to create additional rental units drew multiple neighborhood objections over parking and alleged unpermitted occupancy. After hearing neighbor testimony and reviewing records, the board denied that request 5–0.
What the board tabled or saw withdrawn
- The Rights Center application was tabled at the applicant’s request.
- 1237 North Washington (vehicle sales applicant Amado/Chahin) was withdrawn by the applicant after the board insisted that vehicle-sales operations meet paving and stormwater requirements; the applicant said full compliance would be cost-prohibitive.
- 326 Hiller Avenue (applicant Alex Abeto) was tabled for up to 90 days so the owner could clean the exterior, provide parking diagrams and interior layouts before the board would rehear the variance request.
Votes and tally details
Board roll calls recorded individual yes/no votes on each motion; when a recorded roll was read for approvals, the transcript shows a 5–0 result for the listed approvals and a 5–0 denial for the multifamily conversion near Marywood College.
Next steps
Several items were tabled pending supplemental submittals (parking diagrams, cleanup evidence, or a request to reapply). On the 301 Penn Avenue matter, the board requested staff search for any court agreement tied to the appeal and advised members they may pursue records requests if the agreement is not in the board’s file.
