The first case before the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board Nov. 18 was 659 Ontario St. Glenn and Ida Womer sought to build a two- car garage at the rear of their property. The garage would be larger than an existing pad where a single car garage once stood, before the city deemed it unsafe, and the Womers had to take it down.

When asked why a two-car garage was needed, Wormer explained he has a classic 1969 Chevelle, along with a new car he would like to keep in the garage.

The new garage would be 20 feet by 24 feet. The entrance/exit would be on the back alley. It would have a pitched roof, a large door at the front, and an access door at the rear. The garage contractor promises one- day assembly.

Board member Jim Shantz asked if there was an intention to make the garage a permanent living space. The Womers said no.

The new garage was approved, with the condition that the gutters on the roof of the structure would discharge into the alley.

The second case was 1034 Elm St. Builder Joe Para sought to build a house on an irregularly sized lot, with a variance requested for minimum lot size. The house would be built on the footprint of a previously existing dwelling.

The property owner, Jack Rose, was not present, as he was in quarantine.

Zoning officer Craig Pfeiffer indicated the building’s front porch and front façade would have to be aligned with the neighboring building.

The house would be built with the intention of selling it.

Shantz asked if the house would be built on the existing foundation. The response was that the original foundation wall was in poor shape, and would have to be removed. This suited the board, as they were asking for the new building to essentially be moved forward to join with the neighboring façade.

The next door neighbor, Jaqueline Benner, asked if protection would be provided for her home’s foundation.

Para explained the plan was to take down the existing foundation wall, shore it up, then build six and a half to seven feet into ground. “Have done this before, never had a problem,” he said.

Benner replied that when the previous house was dismantled, cracks appeared over the doorways of her home.

John Gross said the original house was taken down piece by piece.

The project was approved, pursuant to the testimony in the hearing.

The third case was 1503 Kadel Drive. Rose Nembhard sought to open a family daycare in her house.

She described herself as a mother of two children, and said her plan to open a home daycare came about because she knows the hardship of finding quality care, and saw a need for a daycare in her neighborhood. She proposed operating hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extensions in case of emergencies. The age of children accepted would be from six weeks to five years old. The maximum number of children in the home at one time would be six, including Nemhard’s own two children.

The property includes an inground pool. Board member Peter Schneck asked if the children would be kept away from the pool. Nemhad promised to close off any access to the pool.

Board member Terry Novatnik asked if Nemhard would be the only supervisor.

She replied she would be the only employee, though her spouse, who works nights, would be on site as well in case of an emergency.

Neighbor Bill Ring questioned how the daycare would impact traffic in the neighborhood. He also questioned how noise from the daycare might affect elderly neighbors.

The board voted to deny Nemhard permission to open the daycare. The vote was not unanimous.

The final case was 443 Linden St. Brianne Lisk was seeking to build a shed on her property. She said the shed would be used to store yard equipment, bicycles and toys. She added that a previous shed on the property had been taken down due to being “in poor shape.”

Board member Peter Schneck asked how tall the shed would be.

Lisk said it would be around seven or eight feet tall. She added that her neighbors have similarly designed sheds.

Board member Terry Novatnick asked if the shed would be pre-fabricated. Lisk said it would be.

The board approved the a shed on Lisk’s property.

The next scheduled meeting of the zoning hearing board was to be Dec. 9. However, the petition of Abraham Atiyeh for 2015 Creek Road was withdrawn, and it was the only case for the board, so the meeting has been canceled.