Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Development And Traffic topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer proposes seasonal floating patios; residents raise traffic and rezoning concerns
Summary
During public comment at the Aug. 19 Planning Commission meeting, developer Jordan Ilyes proposed seasonal floating patios for 214 N. Franklin Street and was advised a temporary variance may be appropriate; residents asked the borough to pursue traffic controls and raised safety concerns about rezoning the Anderson property.
During the public-comment portion of the Aug. 19 meeting, three visitors raised separate neighborhood concerns.
Jordan Ilyes, owner and developer of 214 N. Franklin Street, presented a proposal for "floating patios"—seasonal outdoor dining areas intended to serve a nearby Food Hall. Ilyes said he was unsure whether a sidewalk permit would be required. Borough staff told him a sidewalk permit was not needed but noted the ordinance requires outdoor eating areas be fully enclosed by a 3-foot fence; that requirement could conflict with maintaining an accessible sidewalk. Atty. Craley suggested Ilyes consider applying for a temporary seasonal variance (proposed May through October) while the borough considers potential ordinance updates.
Resident Logan Harman asked the borough to install a four-way stop at N. Franklin and W. High Streets to curb speeding. Commissioners noted W. High Street is a state road and PennDOT controls traffic devices; they advised Harman to bring the request before Borough Council or contact state representative Wendy Fink.
Resident Aleksa Keithan objected to a proposed rezoning of the Anderson property from Industrial to Residential Town, saying Church Lane—identified as a narrow service alley—would be a dangerous access route because many schoolchildren from Mazie Gable use it to walk home. Atty. Craley said Church Lane is classified as a service street and cannot be used as a formal access road without a variance; he noted property owners could instead pursue a Highway Occupancy Permit from PennDOT for access off Prospect Street.
Committee members encouraged Ilyes to apply for a seasonal variance and suggested residents bring the traffic and rezoning concerns to Borough Council or the appropriate permitting authorities for follow-up. No formal actions were taken at the Planning Commission because it lacked a quorum.
