Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Crossposting to Kate Fratti
Kate recently updated her blog with entries on the hiring of Mike Fitzpatrick as solicitor, and the lack of quorum for the school board retreat. Please check it out and leave her some comments to let her know that we appreciate her hard work in keeping us all informed about what is happening here in the borough.
Stockham Strip Club Followup
The BCCT carries a story about the Stockham Building zoning board hearings: Denied on two counts.
Board denies building plans
By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER
A property owner in Morrisville proposed two ideas for the largely vacant Stockham building in the borough: a burlesque themed strip club or a 1,000-square-foot billboard.
Morrisville’s zoning hearing board, though, unanimously denied both proposals Monday night at a hearing.
Stockham Interests LLC originally proposed a first floor French-themed restaurant and a gentleman’s club on the second floor, as well as a fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
The land owner was asking the zoning board for variances to allow adult entertainment in the building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street and variances from sign regulations.
But more than an hour into the hearing, Todd Colarusso, a principal with Stockham Interests, said he would kill plans for the “less-than-popular” strip club if the zoning board would allow a 1,000-square foot “soft” vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1.
“This alternative variance request will allow us to bring in the fitness center on the third and fourth floor … [and] it may very well help us attract a restaurant.”
Many residents spoke out against the gentleman’s club yet seemed to favor the billboard — or at least favor it more than a gentleman’s club.
But resident Barbara Runner said she was wary of the billboard alternative.
“I believe Mr. Colarusso, in my opinion, has threatened this board: Take Option 1 or the lesser of two evils. And I hope you gentlemen will not fall for that,” Runner said.
Stockham Interests denied the charge: “The sign alternative was brought to our attention and we brought it here in good faith as a method to make this building economically viable,” Colarusso said.
The zoning hearing board has 45 days from Monday to give a written decision on the matter, and the applicant has 30 days after that to appeal the decision.
Board denies building plans
By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER
A property owner in Morrisville proposed two ideas for the largely vacant Stockham building in the borough: a burlesque themed strip club or a 1,000-square-foot billboard.
Morrisville’s zoning hearing board, though, unanimously denied both proposals Monday night at a hearing.
Stockham Interests LLC originally proposed a first floor French-themed restaurant and a gentleman’s club on the second floor, as well as a fitness center on the third and fourth floors.
The land owner was asking the zoning board for variances to allow adult entertainment in the building at Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street and variances from sign regulations.
But more than an hour into the hearing, Todd Colarusso, a principal with Stockham Interests, said he would kill plans for the “less-than-popular” strip club if the zoning board would allow a 1,000-square foot “soft” vinyl billboard on the side of the building facing Route 1.
“This alternative variance request will allow us to bring in the fitness center on the third and fourth floor … [and] it may very well help us attract a restaurant.”
Many residents spoke out against the gentleman’s club yet seemed to favor the billboard — or at least favor it more than a gentleman’s club.
But resident Barbara Runner said she was wary of the billboard alternative.
“I believe Mr. Colarusso, in my opinion, has threatened this board: Take Option 1 or the lesser of two evils. And I hope you gentlemen will not fall for that,” Runner said.
Stockham Interests denied the charge: “The sign alternative was brought to our attention and we brought it here in good faith as a method to make this building economically viable,” Colarusso said.
The zoning hearing board has 45 days from Monday to give a written decision on the matter, and the applicant has 30 days after that to appeal the decision.
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