Business given permission to raise height of building

A request by a Lower Towamensing Township businessman to increase the height of his structure has been approved.

The township's Zoning Hearing Board on Tuesday unanimously agreed to grant a variance to Jeffrey Nichols, Keystone Pellet, Inc.

Nichols was granted a variance from a section of the zoning ordinance, which limits the height of structures in the industrial zoning district to 40 feet.

However, as part of their approval, the zoners attached the condition that Nichols must comply with all other federal, state and local regulations, according to township zoning officer Duane Dellecker.

The proposal by Nichols was an addition with an overall height of 53.8 feet at the business, located at 2115 Little Gap Road in Palmerton. Instead, the zoners granted Nichols 54 feet.

Nichols wanted to alter the exterior of the structure to add a structure for storage off the west side of the main building with a proposed height of 42.8 feet on a base of 11 feet in height, which would bring the total height to 53.8 feet.

Nichols previously had his request rejected by Dellecker, who is in rejection letter dated Sept. 29, said the request conflicted with the zoning ordinance, which limits the height of structures in the industrial zoning district to 40 feet.