well it's about to change...for the better IMO
<b>Paxtang rezones, permitting beer store</b>
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
BY MARY KLAUS
Of The Patriot-News
A divided Paxtang Borough Council has approved a commercial zoning change that would allow a barbecue restaurant and beer distributor in the 3600 block of Derry Street.
Council voted 4-3 to change the zoning of the property formerly owned and occupied by Dauphin Consolidated from commercial/office to commercial/retail.
Elizabeth Grace of Camp Hill, the property owner, and her husband, William, are planning a barbecue restaurant in the front of the building and a beer and beverage distributor in the back, William Grace told council. Grace's family owns Olde Towne Beverage in New Cumberland.
Several Paxtang residents spoke against the change. Ellen Kern of the 3600 block of Derry Street called Olde Towne Beverage "quite nice. But it is in the business section, not across the street from residential properties."
Dawn Deaner of the 3600 block of Brisban Street said that Paxtang "is used to a Wicker East [type of business] where one person can generate $1,000 and help with taxes to the borough. But a beer distributor would not generate that much."
William Grace replied that his New Cumberland business does $1 million in sales annually and has had "a low impact on the community."
Former Councilman William Smith, who has lived in the 3700 block of Derry Street for 66 years and has his law office there, urged council to vote against rezoning.
Doug Reynolds of the 3600 block of Brisban Street suggested a middle ground.
"If the residents are interested in protecting the character and nature of that area, the ordinance does not do that but could," he said. "It could require restrictions to the area. If you want [to have] retail [zoning] and to shape the future, the ordinance should be looked at more closely to insure that it is done."
Paxtang Mayor William Parker told council that he checked with New Cumberland police officials on the Grace business there, and "there have been no crime incidents with the business located there."
Council President James R. Schmidt said some residents want to keep Paxtang unchanged while others want ordinances that allow businesses such as construction companies "and have it continue to look like Paxtang. This has been the dilemma for council. You can't make everyone happy."
He said he voted yes "for the good of the borough."
Also voting for the change were council members John R. Ninosky, F. Joe Spackman and Keldeen Stambaugh. Voting against it were Karen Benjamin, George Murphy and Frank Krautheim.
Benjamin said she voted against rezoning after attending two hearings in which several residents spoke against it and none for it.
"The change means that a commercial district that had allowed offices, financial institutions, funeral homes and similar businesses now can have retail stores and food industries," she said. "The borough had started a community planning process. I wish we gave that a chance to work more."
MARY KLAUS: 255-8113 or
mklaus@patriot-news.com