Zoning change allows relocation of branch

The new branch is slated to open in two years.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A city board approved zone change requests to permit the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County to relocate its South Side branch.
The city board of zoning appeals unanimously approved the requested changes at its Tuesday meeting.
The library's trustee board plans to purchase a vacant building on Market Street and Midlothian Boulevard from Giant Eagle.
Giant Eagle closed the store a few years ago. It replaced a Phar-Mor store that closed when the company went out of business. A Sparkle Market was then located there but also closed.
The library board is purchasing the building from Giant Eagle, which owns it, for $225,000, said library Director Carlton Sears. The property is valued at $350,000, he said.
Sears said the new South Side branch should open in December 2007.
Cost unknown
It isn't known how much it will cost to turn the former store in to a library, Sears said.
The current South Side branch is located on Market Street near Delason Avenue and near Eagle Heights Academy. The former Giant Eagle building is considerably larger than the current South Side branch, Sears said.
The library will find a "suitable tenant" for the current branch building, and there already is interest in purchasing it, he said.
The zone changes were needed because the Giant Eagle building is not in compliance with city codes on library locations, said William D'Avignon, the city's deputy director of planning.
The board agreed to waive three requirements.
They are:
UThe building taking up no more than 20 percent of the property space. The building takes up 26 percent of the space.
UOff-street parking be in the rear of the library. There is more than enough parking spaces in front of the building, Sears and D'Avignon said.
UThe library not using a driveway on the side of the property. The library would be permitted to use that driveway.
skolnick@vindy.com