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Monday, March 05, 2012

Zoners Nix Atiyeh Rehab By Becahi

A drug and alcohol rehab will not be coming to the vacant Calvary Baptist Church, located right next to Bethlehem Catholic High School on Dewberry Avenue. In an unanimous decision on Monday night, Bethlehem's Zoning Board rejected a special exception application by developer Abe Atiyeh for a 70-bed voluntary inpatient substance abuse center, under the management of Malvern. They reached this decision after deliberating for 45 minutes, while a room full of fifty people nervously waited.

Before doing that, zoners were confronted with a last-minute motion from Bethlehem Catholic lawyer Joseph Lesson, asking for yet another hearing. Leeson produced a letter from Calvary Baptist Church attorneys, claiming that Atiyeh's agreement with them expired on  February 1. "Since standing no longer exists, the appeal can no longer be heard," argued Leeson.

Zoners rejected Leeson's argument but told him he could renew it in Court.

When zoners finally denied Atiyeh's application, the audience burst into applause, ending yet another controversial saga in the annals of Bethlehem zoning.

"One year from now, we will meet for a reunion and six hours of total silence," joked ZHB member Bill Fitzpatrick.

"The drinks are on us," wisecracked Greg Zebrowski, an ardent foe of the proposed rehab.

Special Solicitor Erich Schock stated that an opinion supporting the ZHB denial will be filed before April 5. Attorney Blake Marles, representing Atiyeh, stated an appeal is likely, although he needs to review the decision with his client. "The record went in just about as well as it could have," Marles stated.

Atiyeh himself was absent.
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 5, 2012 at 11:45 PM

    And on the other side of the river, Lopatcong doesn't listen to the residents and approves the asphalt plant.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 6, 2012 at 2:10 AM

    The BZB did the appropriate thing. They followed the law. A "special exception" is a special action over and above the basic requirements. The appellant did not make the case of deserving a "special action". The board did its duty.

    The law is the law.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 6, 2012 at 6:31 AM

    I'm glad this is over, if for no other reason than I don't have to read some idiot writing "the law is the law" like some talisman.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 6, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    Where Dickie Noles fails, we succeed.

    Tom Wopat, President
    Association of Questionably Influential and Conspicuously Present Former Celebrities

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 6, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    Abe is a gold mine for lawyers. He shold have his own court house.

    You hear his activities are not going over so well with his wealty relatives.

    What has he actually developed other than a couple low level nursing homes?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bernie O'HareMarch 6, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    "I'm glad this is over, if for no other reason than I don't have to read some idiot writing "the law is the law" like some talisman."

    Amen to that.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 6, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Ah So! the old Baptist Church remains empty and unused. Watch that space. Could it be that one who has clamored against a rehab has other plans for it?

    ReplyDelete

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