Proposed changes to the Eastern Schuylkill Regional Plan will have a significant benefit to Tamaqua residents, according to information provided at this week's meeting of Tamaqua Borough Council.

Council received a letter from ESRP Chairman Karl Smulligan, asking for approval of several changes to the joint zoning ordinances. The changes will allow for green energy in all districts, create industrial areas for mining and provide some relief for homeowners in the R-4 and R-5 areas when it comes to setback allowances. Fewer variances will be needed when the changes have been approved by all four municipalities (Tamaqua, Rush, Walker and Schuylkill Townships) involved in the intergovernmental authority, according to Tamaqua Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt.Unlike the townships, Tamaqua has a lot of dense housing and nonconforming lots. Because of the small lot sizes, adding an accessory structure, such as a shed, has meant applying for a variance as it's impossible to meet the current setback width of 10 feet from the adjoining property line.The new minimum setback will be three feet. The proposed changes will also allow for solar and wind energy systems as a special use instead of a variance, benefiting homeowners who wish to go "a little greener." Currently, applying for a variance costs $500.Council voted to accept the changes and begin the process of adopting them as changes to the borough's zoning ordinances.In other property related business, Councilman Justin Startzel made a number of motions to approve recommendations made by the Historical Architectural Review Commission. Certificates of appropriateness were approved for:• The construction of a ramp, changes to the facade and installation of windows at 119-123 W. Broad St. The property is owned by Wu Guo Cheng and Wu Xie He and houses the Hunan Kitchen Restaurant, which is expanding.• Construction of an addition and ramp at 117 S. Greenwood St., owned by Patricia Stefanek.• Installation of a banner at 18 N. Railroad St., owned by the Tamaqua Historical Society.Two buildings were approved for demolition, at 13 S. Lehigh St. and at 252 W. Cottage Ave. Both are privately owned.The Lehigh Street half double is owned by Nancy Cole and was severely damaged in a fire many years ago. There has been no effort to repair the house since that time and the derelict property is having a negative impact on the other side of the double home structure.The Cottage Avenue property is owned by Lewis and Beverly Grammes and has been allowed to deteriorate to the point of being uninhabitable.These are only two of the homes on the borough's demolition list, according to Josh Esposito, code enforcement officer.Esposito noted the two mentioned during the council meeting are in the historic district and needed HARC, as well as council approval for the demolition process."These are the two worst structures on that list, with the Cottage Avenue property being the number one offender," Esposito said.The other properties on the list are 67 Hunter St. (Joseph and Lillian Betz), 130 Clay St. (David and Angela Fulton) and 301 Pitt St. (Mark and Mary Ann Baddick).