This artist rendering shows the proposed two-story cafe along Pennsylvania Avenue in Tyrone that would house Eden Doughnuts Cafe. Courtesy photo

TYRONE — The owners of a mobile unit doughnut shop are one step closer toward building a two-story cafe along Pennsylvania Avenue after receiving a variance request from the Tyrone Borough Zoning Hearing Board on Tuesday.

Eden Doughnuts Cafe owners Ervin and Mary Lapp were granted approval to build a freestanding restaurant with a drive-thru window at 1261 Pennsylvania Ave., contingent upon them purchasing property at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Alley A, property adjacent to Alley F and consolidating their properties into a single property.

The Lapps currently own a lot at 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. and half of the lot adjacent to Alley F. The properties they need to purchase include the other half of the lot adjacent to Alley F and the former site of Paul’s Amoco and Tire, both of which are owned by Mark Melanson, Mary Lapp’s brother.

The Lapps also requested a variance to the borough’s screening requirements, seeking to reduce the distance between their proposed commercial property and nearby residential properties from 10 to five feet.

They later withdrew that request and opted to submit revised renderings for the proposed business that will be in compliance with the regulation after hearing concerns from Pennsylvania Avenue residents Alice Brooks and Earl Brandt.

Brooks lives in the building next to the proposed site of the drive-thru’s entrance. She said five feet is not enough distance between the drive-thru’s entrance and her bedroom.

Brandt, Brooks’ next-door neighbor, voiced concerns about traffic congestion on Pennsylvania Avenue.

“I’m not against your business. Tyrone needs good businesses. I’m just concerned about the congestion and stuff like that,” Brandt said to the Lapps, noting his vehicle was sideswiped while parked on the street.

While Brandt raised valid concerns, the board was specifically tasked with determining whether or not to permit the Lapps to have a drive-thru window for their proposed business, board solicitor Michael Emerick said.

The zoning hearing board isn’t responsible for addressing congestion concerns, Emerick said.

During the hearing, Mary Lapp said the business’s hours are not set yet. But she would like to open at 6 or 7 a.m. and remain open until 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Once they have the staffing to stay open later, Lapp said her goal would be to remain open until 8 p.m.

The business would have a seating capacity of about 50 people, Lapp said, adding there are currently 22 parking spaces in the conceptual plan.

The front of the business would face Pennsylvania Avenue, Lapp said.

Drive-thru customers would enter through Pennsylvania Avenue between the proposed business and Brooks’ property, order at the rear of the building and drive around to the pick-up window, she said.

According to the conceptual plan, drivers could then exit through either Pennsylvania Avenue or Alley A.

In the second story of the building, there will be a conference room in the rear for birthday parties and events and an outdoor dining patio near the front of the building, Lapp said.

Brandt asked Lapp if she intends to have live music or anything on the outdoor patio that would disrupt nearby residents, to which Lapp said there wouldn’t be and that the area would strictly be used for dining purposes.

The Lapps said they intend to build a six-foot-tall fence between their business and Brooks’ building to provide additional privacy.

Board members Wendy Grot and Ann Sellers voted in favor of granting the Lapps a variance for their drive-thru window.

Board member Aaron Craig was not present at the hearing. According to Emerick, Craig excused himself from the hearing due to a personal connection with the Lapps.

Mary Lapp said they intend to purchase the additional properties this winter. They don’t have a timeline for when the business is going to open yet, she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.