Wayne Bolt and Darlene Pinto approached the Catasauqua Zoning Hearing Board on March 18 seeking a variance for property they own along Canal Street.

The structure is behind their building at 208 Front St. The property facing Front Street, adjacent to Clim-A-Temp, is a multiunit rental. The owners asked the board to allow the rear unit to be classed as a residential rental.

Zoning in the area permits residential apartments, but requires a business use on the first floor.

"What the zoning calls for is a storefront with residential apartments above it," explained Zoning Officer Eugene Goldfeder. In this instance, the commercial use is the rear building that sits off Race Street. To make the designated commercial space a residential unit requires a variance.

"In order to grant a variance, the applicant must be able to identify a hardship that exists because of the building," explained acting zoning board Chairman Daniel Scheirer.

Bolt told the board the rear property is so far off Front Street that it would not be suitable for a business. Access to the property is via a tightly packed gravel drive. A low, chain link fence with a personnel gate surrounds the property. Bolt also informed the board he controls access to the property.

Board members were not aware before the hearing that the property at 208 Front St. and the property on Canal Street belonged to the same owner.

The board unanimously approved the variance as other residential apartments in this area of Front Street do not have storefront businesses. "The hardship in this case is that we can't see this building being used by a business," Goldfeder said after the meeting. "Access is restricted. The owner of 208 Front Street could close access at anytime. I just don't see anyone going down there."

There is ample parking provided now for either residential or business use. The owners indicated they may extend the paved portions of the parking to accommodate tenants in the rear building, although they are under no obligation to do so.