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Luzerne County management residency requirement likely to remain in effect

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Investigators open iPhone in Merritt case, extract ‘relevant information’ in death of Wilkes-Barre woman

<p>DORRANCE TWP. &#8212; Township Supervisor Kevin Gallagher says the owner of what is now K-Val II &#8212; the former J&amp;L Market &#8212; is not complying with the intent of a permit issued for a proposed renovation at the mart/gas station on Blue Ridge Trail.</p><p>Gallagher argued this week the owner, listed as Karunesh Properties LLC of Dallas, is in the process of creating two businesses at the site. He said township code stipulates one business in one structure.</p><p>Gallagher&#8217;s interpretation of Karunesh&#8217;s intent is that it would maintain a food mart/gas station under the auspices of one corporation and a beer and wine business under another corporation. Also, the state Liquor Control Board requires cash sales of alcohol to be carried out at a register separate from the other business function, the supervisor noted.</p><p>&#8220;That&#8217;s two businesses,&#8221; Gallagher said.</p><p>Gallagher, who is in the building and construction business, went on: &#8220;We didn&#8217;t grant that kind of permit. You can&#8217;t have two stores under one roof. This has the potential to open a big issue here.&#8221;</p><p>Following Gallagher&#8217;s comments it was decided that Alan Snelson, code enforcement officer, and Donald Karpowich, solicitor, would conduct a review of township code and make a recommendation to supervisors.</p><p>Besides the K-Val II matter, Snelson and Karpowich, at an executive session, discussed the matter of Michael Medvit, 7475 Blue Ridge Trail, operating an auto-body repair business on a property zoned residential.</p><p>Karpowich said it could be a non-conforming use in spite of Medvit&#8217;s contention that he was issued permits to operate in 2002 by late zoning officer Joseph Krivak.</p><p>A neighbor, David Green, complained to supervisors about the auto shop at the February meeting. At that time, supervisors referred the complaint to Snelson, who said a review he conducted confirmed a non-conforming use. Snelson said records reflect the permits were to develop a garage, sheds and swimming pool on Medvit&#8217;s property, not engage in a repair business.</p><p><strong>New sewer officer</strong></p><p>In other recent business, supervisors:</p><p>&#8226; Accepted the resignation of John Jenkins as sewage enforcement officer and appointed William Brior of Brior Environmental to the job. Samantha Brior will serve as an alternate officer.</p><p>&#8226; Approved the Heller minor subdivision application as well as a sewage planning module for the property.</p><p>&#8226; Voted to advertise for bids &#8212;pending a PennDOT review &#8212; for a proposed paving project on Creek Road.</p><p>&#8226; Heard a report from Patricia Davis, township secretary/treasurer, that the April 8 community-wide Easter egg hunt saw 129 children participate. Through private contributions, prizes were awarded to the winners, including 18 bicycles.</p><p>&#8226; Acknowledged comment by Karpowich that the Blue Ridge Development hearings have tentatively been scheduled to resume at 6 p.m. June 1 at the township building.</p><p>&#8226; Approved a proposal by Davis that the township&#8217;s annual cleanup and recycling event be scheduled from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 6.</p><style>
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Dorrance Twp. supervisor questions business owner’s renovation plans