The West Easton ZHB approved two variances for a small business owner on 5th Street.
Paul Zingone purchased the Polish American Club at 308 5th Street and needed variances on both off-street parking requirements and non-conforming use in a residential area.
Mr. Zingone plans on running his part-time silk screen business at the location.
Concerned that a business might generate parking problems, odors, or noise in a neighborhood of homes, the Zoning Hearing Board asked numerous questions regarding employees, chemicals, hours of operation, deliveries, and other queries.
Most of the questions came from me. I was only familiar with the silk screening industry from 30 years ago and I discovered through Mr. Zingone that much has changed with the types of degreasers and cleaners used for screens.
Mr. Zingbone testified that there are now soy based cleaners used for screens. They are environmentally safe. He further testified that this business is actually a sideline business for him, as his full-time job is that of a salesman for a silk screen equipment supplier.
He only expects to be creating silk screened t-shirts at the location “1 to 2 days a week” and his hours would be less than that of a retail business. His is a one-man operation, though occasionally he might have a helper with him. He has no regular employees.
My perception was that he simply outgrew his basement and took the opportunity to purchase a building for his equipment and silk screening jobs, at a very low cost.
Odors, which he described as non-offensive due to the soy based chemicals he uses will be vented out the peak of the buildings’ roof, using a small fan that will be installed and he compared to a kitchen vent fan.
Noise would be virtually non-existent, as he silk screens his shirts manually.
Deliveries of supplies might be once a week and deliveries of his own items to customers are usually done by him. He uses emails for sending out proofs of projects.
It appears from all the testimony that his required parking, my main concern as an issue in a neighborhood of closely spaced homes with multiple cars, will not detrimentally affect his neighbors.
The only neighbor to testify at the hearing was Mr. Joe Cicero (sp?). Mr. Cicero lives directly across the street and was in favor of the business. He testified he would rather see the building occupied, rather than abandoned. He had no objections to Mr. Zingone setting up business.
Two motions were made to grant his requested variances. Both passed unanimously.
As Chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board I wished Mr. Zingone success at his new location and I welcome him to West Easton.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
