HERMITAGE No variance in sidewalk plan
\The 400-foot walk will end at a chain-link fence around a retention pond.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- A development company has to build what it calls "a sidewalk to nowhere."
The city's zoning hearing board rejected Esteco Inc.'s request for a variance that would have waived the construction of sidewalks along the Shenango Valley Freeway. The 400 feet of sidewalks will begin at entrance to Hermitage Hills Plaza and end at a storm water retention basin.
Rules changed: City commissioners, seeking to provide more pedestrian amenities, changed zoning regulations in July to require all new construction or major renovation projects in commercial and industrial zones to put sidewalks in front of those properties.
Residential developments are excluded.
Esteco, based in Columbiana, ran into the new ordinance when it bought the former Stambaugh property in Hermitage Hills Plaza and its new tenant, Tractor Supply Corp., got a building permit to renovate.
In addition to landscaping, the zoning regulations required that Esteco, as property owner, install sidewalks at a cost estimated at $21,700.
Mark Thomson, Esteco vice president, asked the board for a variance, pointing out that though the sidewalk would begin at the entrance to the plaza, it would end at a ditch and chain-link fence in front of the retention pond.
Liability worries: Esteco's main concern is liability if someone should use the sidewalk and walk into the ditch, he said.
Gary Hinkson, city manager, told the board that the city commissioners voted 3-2 last week to oppose Esteco's variance request.
Although the sidewalk might not link to anything now, development along the freeway could add more sidewalk, he said. Board members agree.
The board voted unanimously to reject the variance, and Thompson said there are no plans to appeal.
"It's done," he said, adding that his company will build the sidewalk.
Crematory request: In another matter, the board granted a continuance to John Flynn of Flynn Funeral Home, 2630 E State St., who wants to build a crematory behind his funeral home.
The crematory is an accepted use in that central commercial district, but Flynn asked for a zoning variance to build within 20 feet of his rear property line instead of the 50-foot setback required by zoning regulations.
The board asked Flynn for more details on the project.