Hearings were held by the Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board on three applications seeking changes in the county zoning ordinances for expansions and subdivisions of properties.

Susan A. Gibbons, 68 Brandonville Road, Ringtown, was granted her request to use only one of two buildings located on her property.She had requested a variance to the county zoning ordinance pertaining to the section of the ordinance which prohibits an accessory structure to be located on a lot without a principal use in advance of a subdivision plan that would allow her to subdivide the property into two lots.At the hearing she testified two buildings exist upon the property, one that her husband had used for a stained glass business and one which is a pole building she uses for storage. She told the board she does not have any intentions on the building her husband used to operate his business but intends to continue to use the pole building for storage.In granting her request the board ruled the property is not located in a residential district nor would permitting the relief cause any detrimental effect on the public health, safety, and welfare.Michael Foran, 1 N. Sixth St., Minersville, was granted a special exception to the county zoning ordinance for expansion of his auto repair facility more than 100 percent of its floor area which is only permitted by a special exception to the zoning ordinance. The ordinance limits maximum impervious coverage at 90 percent for all uses.To improve the character of the neighborhood, as the area is zoned R-3 (High Density Residential) District, he told the board at his hearing that he had demolished two garages that were dilapidated, added a sidewalk and added four parking places for neighbors. The board ruled, after considering all evidence presented, that Foran's application for special exception and variance to the zoning ordinance be granted.JMAC Realty, 773 SR183, Schuylkill Haven, was granted two dimensional variances to the county ordinance for its property at 67 Fox Road, Washington Township, allowing the firm to subdivide two acres into two lots that would not strictly conform with the minimum lot area and minimal lot width requirements in an Agricultural District.Members of the board are Eric Seitzinger, chairman, and David Ambrose and Daniel Daub.