Business
Zoning board OKs repair shop, denies residents’ requests
HERMITAGE — Hermitage Zoning Hearing Board denied two residential variance requests Wednesday, while granting an interpretation for the continuation of an auto repair shop as a nonconforming use.
The bad news was handed down to Richard Fleis of 619 N. Hermitage Road, who wanted to build an open carport on his property, and Jamie DeCapua Kirila, who hoped to buy her parents’ home at 1860 Rockwell Ave., expand a garage, and build a covered entry.
Fleis said the carport would come within two feet of the property of Clark Corll, 649 N. Hermitage Road. The side yard setback requirement in the Institutional-3 zone is 20 feet, and the house already violates that by two feet.
Fleis said he could not build a garage or carport behind his house because of the slope of a hill. Corll said he did not object to the granting of the variance.
Ms. Kirila said she and her husband, John David Kirila II, have an agreement to buy the home from James A. and Bonita DeCapua, but the sale is contingent upon getting zoning approval.
She said she wants to extend a garage by three feet, which would reduce the combined side yard setback from 17 feet — which already violates single-family zoning requirements by five feet — to 14 feet.
If the improvements were made, the total lot coverage would go from 21 percent to 24.8 percent when the maximum allowed is 20 percent.
Ms. Kirila presented a letter of support signed by four neighborhood property owners, but next-door neighbor Karen Myers, 1924 Rockwell objected. Ms. Myers said she was concerned how Ms. Kirila’s planned improvements would affect her future plan to build a garage, and that Ms. Kirila did not have a recent survey.
Ms. Kirila responded that she did not want to pay to have the property surveyed when there was the chance the variance request could fall through.
The nonconforming use hearing concerned the property at 1059 Mercer Ave. that the Martuccio family has operated or leased to others as a gas station and/or repair service since 1948.
The family signed a lease in September with Mike Lowery for use of the building as an auto repair station and towing service, Gene Martuccio said.
“Towing is not allowed in R-1,” said Building and Zoning Administrator Scott A. Smith, speaking of the single-family residential zone.
Lowery, whose main towing operation is a 649 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, said he wants a presence in Hermitage to try to win back customers who did not follow him when he moved from Sharpsville to Farrell.
“We want our customers back and we’re sure they’ll come to Hermitage.” he said.
Lowery added that towing would likely be no more than 5 percent of his business in Hermitage. While the Mercer Avenue site is a strategic location for covering the Shenango Valley, he said he expects most of the towing will be bringing inoperable cars to the station.
- Business
-
-
Under new management — Ill. company takes over SV mall
The Shenango Valley Mall in Hermitage is under new management.
Chicago-based Urban Retail Properties LLC has been awarded the contract for management and leasing services effective immediately, according to a news release issued Tuesday.
-
FNB earns 16 cents a share in 2nd Q
FNB Corp. had a “solid” second quarter, the Hermitage-based financial company’s president and chief executive officer said Monday.
“I’ve very pleased with the quarter. We made 16 cents (per share),” Stephen J. Gurgovits said. “It just turned out to be a very good quarter.”
Loans and deposits are up and expenses are stable, he said.
-
Grant to pay for land study
Penn-Northwest Economic Development Corp. has received a $129,360 planning grant to perform a market analysis of the 218 acres Mercer County owns at Interstate 80 and Route 19 in East Lackawannock Township, said Douglas Thomas, chairman of Penn-Northwest’s sites committee.
A study will be performed to determine the site’s best use, the possible positioning of buildings, what kinds of buildings would be appropriate and how utilities can be extended onto the site, Thomas said Wednesday.
-
Planning begins now for future business incubator
Although construction has only just begun to build a technology center in Hermitage’s LindenPointe technical business park, it’s not too soon to plan the mission and function of the business incubator side of the center.
Debra Steiner, executive director of the Gannon Small Business Development Center, Erie, told Penn-Northwest Development Corp.’s board Wednesday that incubators function much like parents do with children.
“You need someone who will make day-in and day-out contact with the tenants,” she said.
-
Company files patent suit over truck fender design
Jones Performance Products Inc. of West Middlesex has filed a federal design patent infringement suit against a competitor over a truck fender.
Jones, of 1 Jones Way, said it received a patent for an “ornamental arc design” fender for installation of some models of big rigs in 2007, and sells it to customers and distributors.
Bad Ass Parts of Louisville, Ky., ripped off the design and has been selling its own version, according to the lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court, Pittsburgh. -
Rep says tech training key
Historically, American manufacturers have paved the way in technological and scientific advances.
But over the years foreign producers have eaten away at what used to be a distinct American advantage. U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper said she wants the government to bankroll scientific advances to help American producers get back on track.
-
Aqua plan helps some pay their water bill
Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. is reminding customers that its Helping Hand assistance program is available to low-income families who find it difficult to pay their water bills.
The Helping Hand program offers customers a payment plan to pay down arrears and ensure their water isn’t turned off; an opportunity for customers who make payments on time to earn a monthly credit toward their arrears; and a conservation kit to help customers curb usage and therefore, reduce their bills.
-
Local bankers getting steady refinancing business
Local bankers say more people want to refinance their mortgages to save money.
With interest rates hovering in the 4.5 percent range for a 30-year loan, it’s a deal too good to pass up, bankers said.
-
‘Heartbeat of Clarion’ to stop
CLARION, Pa. (AP) — There’s a hum here, soft yet ever-present.
The noise is drowned out during the din of the day, but late at night the sound of the Owens-Illinois glass plant reverberates through this town of 6,000 people.
Mayor Andrea Estadt calls it the “heartbeat of Clarion,” an enunciation from a plant that has been a centerpiece of community employment and pride for 105 years.
But when the glass plant closes July 1, Estadt said, it’ll be silent here.
-
Flynn’s moving Sharon tire store to Hermitage
Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service is moving its Sharon store to a new location in Hermitage.
L&M Tire on East State Street is being remodeled and transformed into a Flynn’s Tire. - More Business Headlines
-
Under new management — Ill. company takes over SV mall
