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WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A landmark school and church rectory in Wilkes-Barre&#8217;s North End was approved for conversion into apartments and an adjoining art studio at Wednesday&#8217;s Zoning Hearing Board meeting.Philadelphia developer Hysni Syla, currently a resident of Kingston, was approved to develop the century-old Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and School at 601 N. Main St. into 34 apartments. The former school building will house 30 apartments while the church rectory will house four, including the art studio.The variance passed 3-2, with board members John Yencha and John Bergold dissenting. The approval is subject to the property passing requirements by the city engineering department.Avoca architect Ed Koveleski said the estimated $2.1 million project went to &#8220;Plan C&#8221; since the group last appeared before the five-member board last month. Since then, the group adjusted their former proposal from 35 apartments to 34 and reduced the public access area of the gallery from 1,400 square feet to 1,200 square feet.The art studio will hold private showings and thus only require a minimum number of spaces, Koveleski said.That area, Koveleski said, will require 12 parking spaces while the remaining 68 will be used for those living in the apartments. A total of 80 parking spaces is considered compliant with city zoning ordinances for on-site public parking.The apartment building will have two entrances, one on North Main Street and another in the rear on Madison Street. The latter will be for drivers parking in the main, larger parking lot. The North Main Street entrance will be for those parking at the gallery, Koveleski said.Wednesday, concerns were somewhat quiet compared to the outflow of protest during the board&#8217;s April hearing. Then, several residents raised concerns about the apartment adding to the already crowded parking situation on North Main Street, ultimately forcing the board to table the variance so the developers could consider neighbors&#8217; testimony.The latest plan provides necessary parking for the apartment building, Koveleski said.Wednesday, residents Anthony and Noreen Foti voiced concern over the safety of the building, deemed in need of over $3 million in structural repairs by the Diocese of Scranton when it was closed in 2011.&#8220;The reason it&#8217;s on the market is because the bishop claims the building is falling down,&#8221; Noreen Foti said.Solicitor Charlie McCormick said the board takes into account the stability of the building.In other business, the board denied Jewelcor, Inc.&#8217;s request for a dual-sided, 10-foot by 30-foot electronic billboard at the northwest intersection of Coal Street and Wilkes-Barre Boulevard.Board member Edward DeMichele said the sign could be argued as a distraction to motorists driving down Coal Street while Hayden White said he would &#8220;not appreciate seeing a billboard&#8221; in that area. Other board members raised concerns about a collection of advertisements appearing in the area should they approve one.Representing JewelCor&#8217;s Joe Lakowski, attorney Garry S. Taroli of Rosenn Jenkins and Greenwald argued the likelihood of more signs appearing would not be financially feasible for other businesses. Lakowski said the signs cost $150,000 each.The signage, Lakowski said, would be another part of the development of the city and would give other local businesses the opportunity to advertise.However, McCormick said the board wants to &#8220;avoid city streets turning into a highway commercial zone with that type of business display.&#8221;All five board members voted against the variance.

Former Sacred Heart school in Wilkes-Barre’s North End approved for conversion into 34-unit apartment building