20-02-2025
Home florist business, parking lot approved by Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board
Feb. 19—WILKES-BARRE — A home occupation florist business was the topic of much discussion at Wednesday's Zoning Hearing Board meeting, and the hearing for a proposed apartment and bakery project was continued until next month.
Local developer Sam Syla, under 126 South 45th Street LLC, applied for a special exception to change a nonconforming use of a building at 81 Waller St. containing 20,000 square feet of vacant light industrial space to 10,000 square feet of warehouse space on the first floor and 10 apartments on the second floor.
However, it was announced at the end of the meeting that the hearing for that proposed project would be continued until March 19. No representative from 126 South 45th Street LLC was present at Wednesday's meeting.
A home occupation florist business was approved by the board so long as the home and business owner Kelly Ann Nilon, of 18 Donald Court, complies with section 702.24 of the city code.
This section, specifically item G, states, "The home occupation shall be carried on only by members of the immediate family residing in the dwelling, plus not more than one additional employee."
Nilon explained customers purchase her flower arrangements from an online shop and she puts them together at her home and delivers the flowers to her customer's homes. She said she gets about 10 to 13 orders a week.
Since the flowers are delivered, Nilon said there wouldn't be an influx of traffic to her home, which rests on a cul de sac.
Nilon, who works full time as a teacher, has a shed in the front of her home, where she stores her supplies. Although she said she might want to fully operate her business from the shed at some point in the future, she does not have the means to do that now.
Renee Conahan, a neighbor, opposed granting the special exception because she believed a "retail business should not operate in a neighborhood." She also brought up issues with parking and the potential affect on her property's value.
Conahan also mentioned an issue with a vehicle blocking her driveway on Valentine's Day.
Additionally, Conahan said she didn't approve of Nilon's shed, saying, "We don't believe in placing a shed in your front yard. We don't believe it's appropriate or allowed, especially without asking for approval prior to putting it down and notifying the neighborhood."
When asked by Board member Stephen M. Trimingham, Nilon stated that she had previously received a zoning permit for the shed and the current location of the shed was approved.
Additionally, Hen Hen Reality LLC was approved for a special exception to establish a limited parking lot for 8 vehicles at 21 W. Elm St; a variance to waive the rear yard and side yard setback from the required 15 feet decreased to 0 feet; and a variance to waive the required screening and planting strips for the proposed parking lot.
The next zoning hearing meeting will take place at 4:30 p.m. March 19 inside council chambers at city hall.
