Nick McWilliams Reporting –
A pair of businesses on the southside of New Philadelphia are continuing a fight against the rezoning of city-owned land.
The land in question sits behind South Philly Pizza, Martinelli Pools and Spas, and Bezarus USA, along Canal Avenue. The land is under city control, and council and administration are looking to rezone from residential to business.
The rezoning could set up an eventual sale of the property which could allow other businesses to build in the city. However, Jill White of Martinelli has objected to the change at multiple meetings, and feels as though the two, potentially three, businesses are going to be pushed out if someone else purchased the space, due to their use of the space for employee parking and for deliveries.
White stated that a previous conversation between former city leaders would allow the business owners to buy the land outright, and said that she feels now the city is not researching its records about any previous agreements.
“You guys have all changed offices over the years, and that’s what happens. People forget that different things were already … when they were purchased [by] or given to the city, they didn’t get passed through along the paper trail. I’m asking that it be brought forth, as to what the agreement was, when it was given, to the city, in 1970.”
Law Director Marvin Fete noted that by law a sale would have to be done via public auction.
Jacob Beavers, who also spoke on behalf of the pizza shop, said that the goal of potentially bringing in new business could mean the end of other established community operations.
“Let’s say it is rezoned business. And someone builds a business right up against us. We’re gone. Martinelli Pools is gone. Bezares is gone. And what did you do? Make a couple bucks? And ran out three staples of the city?”
Councilman Kris Kreinbihl noted that while the parcel could eventually be sold, business owners could band together for a purchase, and stated that the land has been used for free for years despite city ownership.
City representatives said that by rezoning the area, surveys and eventual sales could take place of the lots, but no immediate action would be taking place.
Council ultimately unanimously voted to rezone the property to business.
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