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Politics & Government

Old Zionsville Auto Shop Wants Parking Lot in Emmaus

Upper Milford Zoning Hearing Board Approves Off-Site Parking.

The Upper Milford Zoning Board March 14 approved, with contingencie, an auto repair shop to open at 5722 King’s Highway South in Old Zionsvilles.

Owners of the shop, Gary Alan and Christopher Pranzo, must still solve a parking issue, but they got one step closer to their goal Monday.

In December, the Upper Milford Planning Commission denied making a recommendation to the Zoning Hearing Board to allow the shop because of the limited parking spaces available at the site with an apartment and office located at the same property.

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So, Alan and Pranzo signed a lease with the Emmaus Diner, 1418 Chestnut Street, Emmaus, to use parking spaces at the diner if there is any parking overflow at the shop in Old Zionsville.

Parking at the proposed auto shop is limited to seven spaces, plus two interior car bays. The spots must be available for the auto repair shop, apartment and office served by the common parking lot.

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Valentin Santino, owner of the property, currently lives in the apartment at the site. The office will be rented to Alan and Stranzo in May.

Zoning Hearing Board member Michael Mullen expressed serious doubts about the whole situation. He told Alan and Pranzo that despite their good intentions, things can go awry.

"What would the Borough of Emmaus do if they knew about your lease with the diner? You’re going to have an issue with the Emmaus Zoning Board," Mullen said.

Mullen also asked if they had a back-up parking plan in case the deal with the Emmaus Diner fell through.

Pranzo admitted there was no back up plan, but suggested he and Alan could lease space from Upper Milford Township’s municipal building parking lot, which is across the street from the auto repair shop.

Pranzo said that Mechanics Plus, 4701 Colebrook Ave., Emmaus, also has a lease with the diner to park excess cars.

Residents Pearl Anderson and Paul Bashus, of 5361 Ridgeway Drive, Old Zionsville, expressed concern that cars would get backed up while waiting to be shuttled to Emmaus. Pearl Anderson cited the narrowness of Ridgeway Drive, and that they currently park on the grass instead of the street. Ridgeway is the closest street to the repair ship, and she fears cars being parked on the street.

Pranzo said the business plans on having appointment only customers, so they can schedule repairs without creating any parking issues.

The Zoning Hearing Board members approved the off-site, off-street parking variance 3-1, with Mullen voting against it.

However, there are several contingencies that must be met before the shop can open. An alternate off-site parking location within the township must be found. The apartment may only be occupied by the owner, Valentin Santino, or rented to Alan and Pranzo. All existing sewer and electrical work must be completed.

There is also a storage shed on the property that Zoning Officer Alan Brokate said must be removed or relocated.

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