The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

July 9, 2007

Hermitage zoning board rejects 24-hour fitness center

By Monica Pryts

HERMITAGE — Hermitage Zoning Hearing Board Monday denied a request to allow a 24-hour fitness center to open in a building at 850 S. Hermitage Road.

The request came from Ron Donatelli of Hermitage, who owns the building. John Hougelman of Brookfield wanted to open an adult fitness center on the second floor of the building, which is currently empty.

The board was charged with deciding whether a fitness center is a specialty retail business, which is a use allowed in that area of state Route 18.

The board determined that a fitness center isn’t an allowable use and also denied granting Donatelli a special exception to permit the center to open in the building.

Donatelli’s request also asked for the center to be allowed to use 5,000 square feet instead of the maximum 1,500 square feet and to provide 20 parking spaces instead of the required 25.

Attorney Roger Shaffer, who represented the board, said the square footage and parking issues were moot because the board rejected the other parts of the request.

Before voting, the board heard from several residents who live next to the building. Constance and Roger Smith of 875 Sugar Hollow Road, whose home is on the south side of the building, said they didn’t want the fitness center in their neighborhood because there would be traffic and people coming and going at all hours.

George Clapper of 856 Sugar Hollow said a residential area is no place for a fitness center, especially one that would never close.

“Think of us that have to live there. It’s in the wrong area,” Clapper told the board.

The board has 30 days to render a decision outlining their reasons for rejecting the request, Shaffer said. Donatelli can appeal their decision during that time.

After the hearing, Donatelli said it’s unlikely he’ll file an appeal.

Hougelman, who said he thought the building was a good location for a fitness center, will look to locate elsewhere.

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