Shenandoah zoners approve apartments on West Poplar; neighbors voice opposition
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A property at 334 West Poplar Street in Shenandoah on Nov. 8, 2023. Gorbachyou Weekes sought zoner approval to use the building as three apartments.
SHENANDOAH – The Shenandoah Zoning Hearing Board approved a plan for three apartments in a long-vacant southside building, though the neighbors right next door raised concerns.
Gorbachyou Weekes, owner of Priynse Enterprise, LLC, appeared before the board Wednesday seeking approval to have three apartments at 334 West Poplar Street.
He told the board that the building was already segmented into apartments, but the length of its vacancy reverted its use from apartments to single-family homes, like the rest of the neighborhood.
According to the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator, Priynse Enterprise purchased the property in August, and, on Wednesday afternoon, workers were already fixing the property.
Weekes said there are two two-story apartments accessible from Poplar Street and another accessible from Gilbert Street.
Zoning Board Chairman Charles Vascavage said that their approval would be contingent on the proper inspections being done.
“We want it done right,” Vascavage said.
Weekes said that the apartments had the required number of entries and exits in case of a fire, though some used windows as egress points.
Bonnie Gawrylik, who lives next door to the property, asked how many people would live in each apartment.
“By the law and by the regulation of HUD, you’re allowed two persons per room,” Weekes said. Gawrylik raised concerns over guests staying for months at a time, which she says has been a trend in town, concerns which were dismissed by Weekes as a “personal situation.”
“You also said that you’re going to call the police every day, every time, until they get tired of you calling on me,” Weekes said.
“I did not say that,” Gawrylik said.
“Yes you did,” Weekes said.
“You’re a slumlord, that’s what you are,” Gawrylik said.
Her husband, Dennis, said their property had been damaged by Weekes’ contractors.
“I’m getting damage on my property, and I’ve had the cops down there,” Dennis Gawrylik. “I’m getting sick and tired of this already.”
Vascavage said he understood the concerns, “but that’s not the situation we’re here for.”
“He’s applying to get permission to fix his property to put apartments in,” Vascavage said. “The gentleman wants to fix his property to make income out of it.”
The board voted 3-0 to approve the zoning request, allowing the apartments.
In other business, the zoning board also approved the subdivision of a parcel at 419 East Lloyd Street in the borough.
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