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Schuylkill County News

County Zoning Board Denies Variance for New Philly Haunted House

More than 50 attend hearing Tuesday night

Schuylkill County’s Zoning Hearing Board unanimously denied a variance that would have allowed a haunted house and other ventures to open at a former school building in New Philadelphia.

The decision came after a nearly three-hour hearing at Schuylkill County Courthouse. More than 50 people packed into the Commissioners board room for the meeting. Most people in attendance indicated – through a show of hands, their comments, and some occasional jeers – that they were against the idea of the project.

999 Ventures LLC, whose principal is Justin Burns, wants to open a haunted house at the former school building in New Philadelphia. In addition to that, Burns also proposed opening a taproom, an arcade, a museum, and offer ghost tours. Burns also proposed hosting festivals, concerts and other events outdoors at the 10-acre property.

Justin Burns (foreground), listens as Schuylkill County’s Zoning Hearing Board unanimously denies his request for a use variance at the former school building in New Philadelphia. (Coal Region Canary photo)

The school building currently houses the Simon Kramer Institute and Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office and Morgue. It’s owned by Anthracite Radiation Therapeutics Inc., which is owned by David Moylan, who operates Simon Kramer Institute and serves as Schuylkill County Coroner.

Burns proposed to allow the Simon Kramer Institute, which performs radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer, and the Coroner’s Office to continue to operate. The County pays Moylan $2,500 a month to rent space at the building.

An agreement of sale to purchase the property is in place but likely hinged upon an approval on Tuesday night.

Zoners, Borough, Neighbors Question Logistics, Quality of Life, Building Quality

Burns was questioned extensively Tuesday night on myriad areas of concern, including how the businesses he wanted to open at the former school building would operate and how they’d impact the lives of neighbors.

One main concern of those in attendance was the increased traffic.

Burns said Tuesday that haunted house events would primarily happen around Halloween. There’d be about seven large events annually. And to address concerns about traffic to and from the property he wants to purchase, he said he’d mandate that guests arrive on buses that he provides.

For the rest of the year, the property would mostly be used to operate a taproom and arcade with occasional outdoor festivals happening, too.

Zoning Hearing Board chairman Anthony Prudenti (center) questions Justin Burns, of 999 Ventures LLC, on his request for a use variance for the former school building in New Philadelphia. (Coal Region Canary photo)

New Philadelphia Mayor Terri Gibbons testified Tuesday that the roads leading to the property are not in the best condition and not suitable for heavy traffic.

Burns said that as many as 350 vehicles – without the buses – could come to the property for a haunted house event.

Buses, Gibbons said, would have a difficult time navigating the narrow streets leading to the former school. She also said that the borough does not typically have enough money in its annual budget for extensive road repairs or improvements.

Gibbons said the borough is “at the mercy” of state Liquid Fuels money for road repairs and that only amounts to about $20,000 annually.

Noise Issues

Chairman Anthony Prudenti consistently expressed concerns over “quality of life” issues that would arise if the board were to approve Burns’ request for a use variance.

Burns said he currently works at Pennhurst Asylum, a haunted house in Chester County. He said that there were and are some “residential concerns” about that business.

“We worked with the surrounding neighborhood and I would like to do that here, too,” Burns said. “We have neighborhood complaints that we have to deal with.”

One of the other main concerns expressed by the board and New Philadelphia residents, was the amount of noise that might come from a haunted house and other large events at the proposed business.

Many in attendance recalled noise coming from Schuylkill County Coal Crackers football games. That semi-pro team briefly played on the athletic field adjacent to the school building. Some said the noise from those games carried throughout the borough.

Burns said the haunted houses would be indoors and admitted that there’d be loud music and screaming but it’d be contained inside the building.

“The people living around there aren’t going to hear the screaming and the screeching,” board member David Ambrose asked.

Burns responded, “Not any louder than a football game.”

Ghost Stories Near the Coroner’s Office?

Another concern expressed by Prudenti was the proposed business operating in the same building as the Schuylkill County Coroner’s Office.

He said, “It’s not a zoning issue. It’s more of an ethical issue. A lot of people who have died in the county go there for autopsies.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to have a haunted house and have ghost stories and people looking for ghosts,” Prudenti added. “You say you want to work for the area. I don’t see how that’s working with the County. And I’m sure you’re going to use that in the advertising.”

Burns responded by saying he had no plans to incorporate the fact that the Coroner’s Office would be in the same building as ghost tours and haunted houses he’d host.

Possible Appeal?

Gretchen Sterns, who represented Burns and 999 Ventures at Tuesday’s hearing, said following the unanimous denial, “We appreciate the feedback and I’m going to review the matter with my client and we’ll decide how to move forward from here.”

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