Upper Saucon Zoning Board Approves Indoor Restroom Extension to Church of the Assumption

An addition to Church of the Assumption was one of three zoning appeals approved by the Upper Saucon Zoning Hearing Board at their Feb. 14 meeting. The church, located on Old Bethlehem Pike, was represented by attorney Tom Schleidle and civil engineer and parishioner Anna Markins.

Markins explained that the current restroom facilities were located in the church’s basement. "Parishioners are required to leave the church to reach the south side entrance…that provides access to the bathrooms. If it’s raining, if it’s snowing you have to physically leave the building”said Markins.

The proposed extension will also make access possible for handicapped church members. Markins said, "There's no way that a handicap person would be allowed to use the bathrooms in the church under the current structure."

The zoning hearing board approved the construction of an addition, and considered the Church a special exception. Board member John Asheley said, “the construction was an exception and [the church] is not being enlarged”.

The board also unanimously approved the change of a light manufacturing facility to an automotive detailer, following adherence to conditions. Commercial property owner David Gubitosi stated that he planned to lease a section of his property formerly held by U&N Coating to James Simmons. Simmons plans to convert the property into an automotive detailing shop.

Simmons described multiple renovations to the property including planting trees around the perimeter, resurfacing asphalt, repainting the building, and adding lights and doors to the existing structure. It’s “nothing structural. It’s basically all cosmetic” Simmons said of the changes. Simmons, who currently owns two additional detailing facilities, assured the board that his shop would not be disruptive to the residential neighborhood which borders the proposed shop.

A representative for the neighborhood, Ralph Wood, voiced his concerns over the proposed detailing facility: “My only concern is the hours 7-7 on Saturdays and Sundays”. Woods felt that these hours would disrupt the residential area in mornings and evenings.

Woods also wanted to “verify there is no salvage yard” being constructed on the property.

The board approved Simmons’ shop under several conditions. The shop hours would be limited to 9-5 everyday, the property could not be used to junk cars, and no auto repairs could take place on the property.

Finally, the board examined a proposed extension to the residence of Mark and Debra Saeger. The Saegers wanted to create a new driveway and build an extension to the garage and first floor of the house.

“We're looking to add on space," said Debra Saeger. "We have three generations living in this house now”.

Under current zoning laws, the Saeger’s half-acre home is located in the Agricultural Preservation zone. The Saeger’s argued that nothing was currently planted on the land. The board agreed that the proposed changes were not “any different than the homes surrounding the area”. The board unanimously approved the additions under the condition that the existing driveway be torn up and converted into grass.

The next Zoning hearing board meeting will be March 14 at 7pm.