A request for a variance will be heard by the Kittanning Zoning Hearing Board on September 5 at 7PM on changing the use of the church building to a addiction recovery center. The public is invited to attend.
Kittanning Borough Planning Commission held their monthly meeting last night in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.
The members present spent 45 minutes discussing a hearing that has been scheduled on Thursday, September 5, at 7PM in Council Chambers before the Zoning Hearing Board, according to Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor James Favero.
The hearing is to decide a variance requested by the Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission for the Church of God property on Woodward Avenue. The Commission seeks to purchase the property and turn it into a “Positive Welcoming Recovery Community Club and Social Hall”.
Planning Commission members unanimously voted to ask Favero to consider another venue. They are concerned that the crowd in attendance will be more than Council Chambers can hold.
They also voted to request that the variance is not to be approved. Planning Commission President Michael Rizzo said he was concerned that allowing a drug and alcohol recovery center in the middle of a residential neighborhood would result in a downturn in property values.
Members present last night included Rizzo, Michael Johnston, Gary Stover, Alan Pucchetti, Ron Ruffaner, and Jane Koster.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 24 at 7PM in Council Chambers.