PORT JERVIS, NY — Port Jervis zoning issues, proposed O&R electricity rates increase, and the Red Badge of Courage Living Memorial Day June 20 were among issues discussed at the June 8 Common Council meeting.

Zoning and planning liaison Robert Ritchie reported from the last Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting concerning 140 Jersey Ave. Owner Hamza Warriach requested a variance for the building in order to add a first-floor office and a second-floor apartment. Zillow.com, a realty website, reports the building was sold for $21,700 on December 26, 2014.

The issues concern the size of the lot, lot width, side yard setback and parking spaces. Parking is sparse in the area, and many simply use public parking.

“The problem is the size of the lot, some 20 feet wide,” Ritchie said. “There’s no parking. It’s between two businesses: Eagle Valley Realty and an insurance company.”

Ritchie explained in a phone call that the building had been bought online by Warriach. It had been a two-family home but had lost that status, and is located in a Commercial/Residential zone.

After the ZBA denied his appeal, Richie said, “Warriach tried to sell the property to the businesses on either side, but they didn’t want it,” adding Warriach only wanted to cover his costs.

He decided to go back to the ZBA, and was denied a variance again, but the board decided to give him a chance to rectify the situation; the solution would most likely involve trying to negotiate some kind of easement with the neighbors. A garbage issue has been resolved by building an enclosed area for the garbage. The next public hearing and revote will be on July 7.

In other business, councilmember George Belcher reported that the list of residents he’s compiling who will protest the proposed Orange and Rockland utilities increase is growing, and he urged residents to join. He can be contacted at georgeb712@gmail.com or at 845/856-1036.

Also Mayor Kelly Decker said that among the big events of the year in Port Jervis is the upcoming Red Badge of Courage Steven Crane Living Memorial Day Saturday on June 20 (see page 15).