Hawley: Developer proposes 46 apartments, shorter height on second try

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·4 min read

The developers of Hawley's latest apartment building project are trying again with a scaled-down version, after the borough Zoning Hearing Board rejected a variance application last spring to exceed the allowable height limit.

The two apartment buildings are still planned to be located at the end of Barker Street in the field behind Hawley Village Apartments.

Ann Monaghan, council member and liaison with the Planning Commission, reported at the Oct. 11 council session that the commission agreed to recommend it for a public conditional use hearing. The council set it for Monday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m., at Borough Hall.

Barker Street Partners, LLC, is proposing two buildings, each two-and-a-half stories high, 150 feet long and 72 feet wide. One is to have 22 apartments and the other 24. They would have gable roofs. The maximum building height is given as 35 feet on the developer's plan.

This map sketch shows the proposed apartment two-building complex at right and its comparative placement and size with Hawley Village Apartments in center and Barker Street Apartments at left. This map is adapted from the one rendered by Tompkins Engineering for the conditional use hearing set Nov. 13 for Barker Street Partners, LLC. The location of Barker Street Apartments was added, as were the colors and larger identifying labels for the three apartment projects and railroad tracks.

Maximum lot coverage is 47.5%. Parking for 80 vehicles is planned, averaging 1.5 per apartment.

The plan shows access from the end of Barker Street around the side of Hawley Village Apartments, and another right-of-way access to Church Street.

According to these updated plans, the parameters meet the zoning ordinance requirements for the R-2 (Moderate Density Residential) zone of a maximum 35-foot height and 50% lot coverage.

The earlier plan asked to build as high as 60 feet; a variance to the ordinance was requested by was turned down by the Zoning Hearing Board on May 30. The developer was planning four stories with 60 apartments. There was standing room only for the May 30 hearing, with many neighbors concerned over what was proposed.

Previously: Zoning board rejects developer request to exceed height limitations for Hawley apartments

Barker Street Apartments is six stories with 73 apartments for seniors and people with disabilities. Hawley Village Apartments, erected behind Barker Street Apartments, was opened in the mid-1990s and is 40 feet high, with three floors. Monaghan has previously said she believes current height regulations were not in place when these apartments were built.

A problem for the developer, as stated at the May hearing, was that to keep the project viable and yet reduce its height, there would be difficulty keeping a state-required 150-foot setback from an unnamed Lackawaxen River tributary on one side of the property.

Monaghan said that the developer needs to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to mitigate any disturbance of wetlands.

More from Hawley council:

Mayor John Nichols swore in a new police officer, Zachary Mead. Patrolman Mead is the son of borough Public Works Director Scott Mead and councilor Becky Mead. Zachary's mother pinned the badge on his uniform. He also serves as lieutenant in the Hawley Fire Department.

Hawley Borough Patrolman Zachary Mead was welcomed to the police force at the Oct. 13, 2023, council meeting. From left are officer Lee Rowan; Sgt. Aaron Bertholf; Mead; Chief Daniel Drake; Mayor John Nichols and Becky Mead, Officer Mead's mother and a borough council member.
Hawley Borough Patrolman Zachary Mead was welcomed to the police force at the Oct. 13, 2023, council meeting. From left are officer Lee Rowan; Sgt. Aaron Bertholf; Mead; Chief Daniel Drake; Mayor John Nichols and Becky Mead, Officer Mead's mother and a borough council member.

Bill Delling, who coordinates the county recycling drop-off site on Park Place in Bingham Park, asked what can be done about the ground in front of the recycling roll-off, which becomes wet and muddy. The public also parks cars out onto Park Place while dropping off recycling materials. Scott Mead said he would put modified material on the ground in lieu of more costly paving. Recycling is accepted on the first and third Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Posts holding a chain and "no dumping" signs will be installed at the entrance to Maley's, the historic swimming area in Middle Creek, at the end of River Street. Ed Ahearn reminded the council of the problem of people dumping rubbish there.

Pennsylvania Ambulance handled 27 calls in Hawley Borough in September, with only one other call handled by Cottage Ambulance. Councilor Elaine Herzog said that so far, the service provided by Pennsylvania Ambulance is working well. The company officially started operations here July 1, under a joint agreement with the borough, Paupack and Palmyra Townships.

The council approved ordering two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to help revive cardiac victims. The plan is to keep one at Borough Hall and the other carried in a police car. American ED quoted a cost for two, with add-ons, at $4,027, which council approved. Borough insurance dividend payments are funding them.

The Halloween parade is set for Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 5:30 p.m., with lineup at 5 p.m. The parade heads up Main Avenue to Bingham Park, followed by costume judging in the tennis courts and free refreshments and goodie bags for children.

Leaf burning in the borough was approved from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. Residents are encouraged to mulch their leaves, as an option.

Hawley council meets on the second Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 94 Main Ave.

Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Hawley apartment project height lowered to meet regulations