During a meeting Monday, Tamaqua's Zoning Hearing Board granted special exception requests from two applicants, which will bring a podiatrist and child -business to the borough.

Peter J. Johnson of Barnesville needed a special exception to open a podiatry business on Mauch Chunk Street, formerly occupied by a dog grooming salon. The dog grooming business was a nonconforming use. According to the zoning ordinance, to change from one nonconforming use to another, a special exception is needed.Johnson said he plans to change the interior of the building, currently a large room and bathroom, to a waiting room and reception area, as well as treatment rooms. He will also add a handicapped-accessible ramp to the front of the building.Once built, the ramp will be 5 feet wide, which will leave 5 feet of space on the sidewalk. The minimum requirement for sidewalk space in front of a building is 3 feet, so Johnson's plans comply. The zoning hearing board granted him a special exception for the change of use of the building, and a variance to add the ramp.The second applicant was Margaret Schock of Broad Street, who wants to open a child-care facility at 129 Gay St. A child-care facility is an allowed use in the R-4 zoning district, but a special exception is required.Schock said that pending state approval, she plans to care for up to a dozen children, including infants. Chairman Richard Clemson and other members of the board expressed concerns about parking in the area. According to the zoning ordinance, a day care center must have a dedicated parking place for drop-off and pickup.Vice chairman Frank Kane agreed, but expressed his support of the venture."We have many day care facilities in town, and none have designated parking," Kane said. "And also there is a major need for day care facilities in town."The board granted Schock a special exception to change the property from residential to a day care facility, but told her she'd need to return to seek a variance from the parking requirement. No residents attended to oppose her plans.