MIDLOTHIAN BOULEVARD Commission not in favor of antique shop

There was concern about a less-desirable business moving in.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The city planning commission is recommending against allowing an antique shop on Midlothian Boulevard.
Christine Vath sought a zoning change from single-family residential to business for property at 1660 Midlothian.
Planning commission members said Tuesday they didn't favor spot zoning for the property. They recommended city council, which has the final say, deny the move.
Vath said she wanted to convert the lower level of a house there into an antique shop, with a rental unit above.
Vath said the area is a mix of residential housing and businesses, and the shop would fit in there.
Concerns
Several nearby residents disagreed, however. They said the area is virtually all residential and didn't want a commercial business intruding.
Ipe playground is nearby, said Elizabeth Kunzer of South Heights Avenue.
She also was concerned about zoning the property business if the antique shop closed. Another less-desirable business could move in under the new zoning, she said. She pointed to a nearby property on Midlothian that changed hands several times and ultimately became a bar.
Dorothy Murphy of South Heights said commercial businesses in that area downgrade the residential neighborhood.
The planning commission, also acting as the zoning appeals board, approved a variance so a business on Indianola Avenue can expand.
The variance allows Ram-Z Neon to reduce the required front-yard setback from 35 feet to 6 feet.
The business plans to build a 24-by-44-foot addition for storage and to build the neon signs it sells.
rgsmith@vindy.com