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Retail development proposed for Avoca

JOHN BALOGA Times Leader Correspondent

AVOCA – Council asked many questions of Tim Connolly, the consulting engineer of a retail development proposed for the corner of Main and Hawthorne streets near the borough building Thursday evening.

The project, being developed by Avoca Real Estate, would include construction of a two-level office building that would serve as the new home of Llewellyn Drug Store, a physician’s office and other businesses. The 150-foot-by-150-foot retail project is in the early stages of land development and will be reviewed during the next council meeting.

The developer is requesting variances to allow changes to the rear setbacks, the building density, and reduce the parking spaces required from 51 to 38 under the zoning ordinance. Parking along Main Street would be affected by the project’s proximity to the firehouse on Main Street. Borough officials asked Connolly to notify adjacent businesses of the proposed parking plans for the project, which will be accessed from Hawthorne Street.

Council members raised questions regarding the project’s lighting, sidewalk and access drives. The project is projected to begin by the end of the summer.

In other business, council heard plans for a new traffic signal proposed for the intersection of Route 11 and the Pittston Bypass bridge.

Construction is set to start in early 2010 to improve traffic flow for a dangerous intersection by adding turning lanes for the bypass on Route 11.

Council President Joe Satkowski also commended volunteers from the Ancient Order of Hibernians who assisted with the cleanup of the West Avoca and Plane Street Parks. The Hibernians and other residents interested in volunteering are asked to contact Jason Radle for future projects to install playground equipment.

In other business, council:

• Passed an initiative to apply for funding for a third full-time police officer in the borough through the COPS grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

• Passed an agreement for an energy assessment and utility bill analysis to be conducted under funding from Northeastern PA Alliance.

• Said work is set to begin next week on a number of capital improvement projects in the borough, including repairing the Mill Creek Channel. A major paving project will be carried out for seven streets after the state reviews plans.