Guardian Angel Recovery House owner Lisa VinciGuerro addresses the Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board at Wednesday’s meeting. Property owner Larry Shotwell is seen in the background.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board member Jerry Altavilla listens to testimony at Wednesday’s meeting.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
Wilkes-Barre Zoning Officer William Harris (middle) holds up photos for exhibit at Wednesday’s meeting.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — Two recovery homes for women were among the applications approved Wednesday at Wilkes-Barre’s monthly zoning hearing board meeting.
Guardian Angel Recovery House, located at 314 N. Main St., was approved for a variance to expand from housing eight women to 11, while New Dawn Recovery Home at 309 N. Main St., was approved for a special exception to establish a group residence for eight female residents.
Meanwhile, Monfon Lounge, a South Wilkes-Barre bar and restaurant on Academy Street that has long been the subject of noise complaints and more from residents, withdrew its application for variances for a canopy attachment, as well as an increase to the floor area of nonconforming use from a 25% limit to 98%.
Attorney Frank Hoegan, who represents the applicant Suheiry Flores, told the board that after reviewing the application with his client, he advised them to withdraw it.
“It will not be moving forward,” he said.
Most attendees appeared to be at the meeting to hear Monfon Lounge’s application, as many cleared out of the council chambers after it was announced the application was withdrawn.
However, Sam Garnett, pastor at Calvary Bible Church, which sits across the street from the bar and restaurant, attempted to repeat criticisms he initially brought up to the Wilkes-Barre City Council at its Aug. 13 meeting.
“They’re operating under the guise of a family restaurant from what I’m hearing. I think if you look at their Instagram and social media, this is not a family-orientated restaurant. It’s a sexually oriented business,” he said.
Zoning Officer William Harris responded that the only issue before the board was the canopy application. Any other complaints, he said, should be taken to the city council.
No one in the audience was opposed to the two recovery houses, but a group of women who reside at Guardian Angel Recovery House did speak in favor of the structured living facility.
They testified before the board that residing at the house has given them the stability needed to stay sober, pursue unification with their children, and reintegrate into society following completion of a rehabilitation program.
Owner Lisa VinciGuerro, who recently celebrated 20 years in recovery from drugs and alcohol, also operates a women’s recovery house in Hazleton, which initially opened in 2017.
Residing in a recovery house herself while getting sober was life-changing, and she wanted to bring that same opportunity to women in Luzerne County.
“I’m not scared to tell them when they’re wrong. I’m also not scared to love them when they’re trying to love themselves,” she told the board.
All of the women who reside in the house must have a job, be looking for a job, or donate their time to volunteer work. They are also required to attend weekly meetings.
VinciGuerro is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
The hearing for a third recovery house, Judy’s Transitional Living Collaborative LLC, at 145 Madison St., was continued until September’s meeting.
Other approvals at Wednesday’s meeting include:
• Zoe-Style Haitian Restaurant, located at 168 Park Avenue, for a special exception to change a nonconforming use from a building containing 646 square feet of vacant commercial space to a fast-food take-out restaurant.
• 140 Lehigh Plaza, LLC at 140 Lehigh Street for a special exception to change a nonconforming use from a building containing 12,000 square feet of vacant commercial space to a building to use 5,500 square feet for multi-services, food safety class, tax information class, OSHA 30 class, and an officiant wedding office.
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