We have sat through Borough Council meetings regarding the English property located at 68 W High Street for a year. The owners want to add Events Venue to the Elm Street Overlay, which would increase the allowed uses for their property. The property is currently permitted for a Bed and Breakfast and Vacation Rental. The original Events Venue proposal, submitted one year ago, was wide open in regard to types of activities, size of the crowd, any day of the week and hours with no specifics regarding parking or ADA requirements, etc.
Over time and much discussion, the project was scaled down. In September, Carly Marshall and Borough Attorney Harold Eastman, provided a proposal based on the previous discussions. Carly was diligent in reviewing past meeting videos to ensure that she had the correct and agreed upon guidelines.
Somehow, prior to the workshop meeting on January 23rd, some Borough Council members decided to dramatically revise all previous efforts:
September 2022 Proposal
-2 Outdoor Events per Month
-Limited to Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday
-Event closing Friday and Saturday at 9:00 PM; Clean up completed by 10:00 PM
-Sunday: Closing at 8:00, Clean up competed by 9:00 PM
-Events would be scheduled based on Special Exception in accordance with the Elm Street Overlay, as would the limitation of a 2000 square foot space.
-An Annual Management Plan- To be reviewed by the Borough Zoning Officer. There are provisions for security, sanitation, refuse disposal, and other appurtenances applicable to outdoor activities associated with events held at this site.
January 23, 2023 Revised Plan-Eliminated all boundaries
-No restrictions on the number of outdoor events that could be held. Could be any day of the week.
-Events would be scheduled by right, eliminating the need for special exception as outlined in the Elm Street Overlay Zone
-2000 Square foot limit removed, also included in the Elm Street Overlay
-The only guideline is that there shall be fewer outdoor venues than indoors. (Unknown as to how that would be measured.)
-Closing time for noise was extended to 10:00 PM, All activities by 11:00 PM, including cleanup
- No reference to the need for adequate restrooms and/or ADA compliant
What I find interesting is that within the same ward, Ward 3, the Borough Council is lifting tourist-commercial zoning on John’s Avenue and Highland Avenue in Colt Park to protect the residents. This was a zoning decision made in 2008 that has been determined to be detrimental to the residents.
Not far away, also in Ward 3, on West High Street, the land owners of one single property are requesting an unrestricted commercial use of their property. This property is surrounded by a much denser populated area than Colt Park. Why is the Borough Council protecting one group of residents in a single family home area, and not the residents with a much denser population of predominantly, row houses?
How can this be ok? A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 27, at the Borough Council Meeting Room, 59 E High Street, 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
This is your time to speak out…before you can’t find a parking space in front of your home or you have to close your windows to shut out noise when the weather is perfect for fresh air.