Nuangola to warn property owners about condition of buildings

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Pittston City adopts ordinance to fight against abandoned properties

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; City zoning officials Wednesday approved a variance for Leo A. Glodzik III to convert a garage into an apartment despite Glodzik owing a fine for not getting approval to renovate the East End property he later rented.</p><p>The Zoning Hearing Board in a 5-0 vote gave Glodzik the go ahead for the conversion of the two-story garage at the rear of 253 New Hancock Street.</p><p>There was no debate or discussion of the $670 in fines and fees still owed for<a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/545836/city-reduces-leo-glodziks-fine-in-wb-zoning-dispute" target="_blank"> violating the city&#8217;s zoning last year </a>by proceeding with the project without first getting the board&#8217;s approval. At one point, the fines totalled $12,000 but the city reduced the amount in return for Glodzik complying with the zoning laws.</p><p>When asked after the vote about the unpaid fine, William Harris, the city&#8217;s zoning officer, said, &#8220;We don&#8217;t care.&#8221;</p><p>He said the board was only interested in the zoning rather than an investigation by a reporter, telling him, &#8220;Maybe if he gets a tenant in there he can pay the $600.&#8221;</p><p>Glodzik, 45, of Morgan Lane, did not return a call. The former city towing contractor awaits sentencing in federal court for his guilty plea to mail fraud and filing false tax returns related to the exclusive contract. He previously was convicted of theft in Luzerne County Court and served a prison sentence.</p><p>Joe Wielgosz, who attempted to buy the house and detached garage in question and whose mother lives across Weston Lane from Glodzik&#8217;s property, reiterated a comment he made in the past about the way the city has handled the matter.</p><p>&#8220;The board did a grave injustice to all the residents of this area in the East End,&#8221; Wielgosz said.</p><p>He raised concerns about parking and opposed the variance when it was before the board at its May 18 hearing. The board continued the hearing until Wednesday in order to visit the property before making a decision.</p><p>Wielgosz also was prepared to testify for the city against Glodzik at a hearing last month before District Judge Tom Malloy but was told he wouldn&#8217;t be needed due to the agreement between the parties in the civil complaint.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">The Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board granted a variance to Leo A. Glodzik III to convert a garage at the rear of 253 New Hancock Street into an apartment despite him owing a fine imposed last month for renovating and renting the property without first getting approval. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_Glodzik-garage.jpg</photo0><caption0>The Wilkes-Barre Zoning Hearing Board granted a variance to Leo A. Glodzik III to convert a garage at the rear of 253 New Hancock Street into an apartment despite him owing a fine imposed last month for renovating and renting the property without first getting approval. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre Zoning board OKs variance for garage apartment