A Brooklyn developer who previously applied for a zoning variance to transform the former St. Joseph’s school on Mahantongo St. in Pottsville into a dozen luxury apartments appears ready to try again.
A hearing before Pottsville’s Zoning Hearing Board has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, City Hall. That’s when Sinan Ozbeyl and a co-applicant known as Keystone Landmark Developer Corp. will ask for zoning variances that would allow plans to move forward to renovate the former school building.
However, it appears Ozbeyl has changed plans considerably since his visit before the board on July 18 last year.
Rather than transforming the vacant and deteriorating building into luxury apartments, Ozbeyl now wants to create a 12-unit group home/elder care facility. He’s seeking variances that would allow him to construct such a facility and relief from the city’s off-street parking regulations.
It was parking concerns that seemed to weigh heavily on the Zoning Hearing Board’s decision last year to deny Ozbeyl a variance to move ahead with the luxury apartment plans.
Zoners also expressed their worries about Ozbeyl’s seemingly wishy-washy plans for the property, which included a possible rooftop terrace and a commercial coffee shop on the first floor.
Following the denial, Ozbeyl briefly placed the property back on the market but it’s since been removed. He purchased the 10,000-square foot property in 2022 for $155,000.
More From Coal Region Canary
See all stories ›
Flood Watch Issued for Schuylkill County on Thursday
5 hours ago
Nabholz Has Allowed Just 1 Earned Run in 5 Appearances Since Promotion to Eugene
13 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Used Brother’s Name During Traffic Stop Because He’d Been Sentenced to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License
14 hours ago
Barton Cards Sub-70 Round to Pace Haven; Blue Mountain Sweeps Tri-Match
15 hours ago
PennDOT to Host Winter Job Fair in Schuylkill County
17 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Wanted After Police Say He Traded Nude Photos With 16-Year-Old
18 hours agoSubscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...