Zoning board denies proposed event venue on Baltimore Avenue; council hears complaints about flyer litter and announces movie night, cleanup

The borough's zoning hearing board denied an application to convert a property at 29 Baltimore Avenue into an event venue, a manager reported at the Clifton Heights council meeting.

The manager told councilors the board "heard the application at 29 Baltimore Avenue for Chris Cronin who was looking to put a venue and event rental space in their current commercial kitchen. That application was denied." The manager also said the application for signage at 403 West Balmer Avenue for Illusion Sports Bar was continued so the board could gather additional information.

Councilors then turned to several neighborhood concerns. Members described recurring problems with store flyers dropped from delivery vehicles: flyers were reported scattered by wind and left wet after rain, creating litter that residents pick up weekly. Councilors discussed whether the borough's solicitation ordinance covers these distributors and considered asking staff to locate contact information and send a letter to distributors, with the possibility of pursuing littering enforcement if deliveries continue.

Miss Bridges announced two upcoming community items: a movie night on Friday the 15th (lot opens at 7:30 p.m.; meet-and-greet with council at 7 p.m., movie 'Rookie of the Year' at dusk) and a community cleanup on Saturday the 16th from about 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. She also said a small group is exploring a community garden and noted that if borough land in Clifton Heights is used, it would need strong maintenance and access to water.

What’s next: The zoning board decision on 29 Baltimore Avenue stands as denied per the manager's report; no appeal or further action was recorded in the transcript. Council asked staff to try to identify distributor contact information and to follow up about possible code or litter enforcement. Community event organizers will proceed with the announced movie night and cleanup.