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STEUBENVILLE -- The old USW Local 1190 hall on South Third Street is going to be repurposed.
The new owners, STB STR LLC, told Steubenville Planning Commission members Monday they want to turn the building, located at 227 S. Third St., into a residential storage facility, but before they proceed with their plans they need a zoning change - from Central Business District (B-1) to General Commercial and Industrial District (I-1).
The two-story, 70-year-old brick building closed its doors about eight years ago.
"It's an existing building," Urban Projects Director Chris Petrossi said. "They can't move forward until they have the (proper zoning). This is the first step in the process."
Petrossi pointed out other properties in the vicinity are already rated I-1.
Maria Hardy, engineer for the new owners, said they also plan to demolish a neighboring structure at 235 S. Third St. and use the space for parking and as a loading area. It at one time housed a barbershop.
"At this time, we are in the early stages of design," Hardy wrote. "The (former union hall) has two levels. Three levels are being explored with code criteria at this time for storage. To move forward, the present lots are classified as business and transitioning the building into the facility will require rezoning to industrial due to the proposed purpose."
Commission members voted unanimously to accept the application, request legislation and schedule a public hearing for May 3.
The commission also held the first of three public hearings on the city's Fiscal Year 2021 Consolidated Plan/One-Year Action Plan. Petrossi said the goal of Monday's hearing was "to familiarize those in attendance and public on what it is, what the consolidated planning process is and why we do it."
He also noted the annual plan has to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in August.
Petrossi said the Steubenville Consolidated Planning Committee, made up of a cross-section of city residents, met Monday afternoon to begin its task of identifying housing, community and economic development needs and tailor a consolidated plan to meet them.
Petrossi stressed that's it's far too soon to say what Steubenville's CDBG entitlement will be in 2021.
"Until we receive info on our allocation, specifically the dollar amount, from HUD, we will work on the assumption the dollar (amount) will be similar to (last year)," he said.
The second of two required hearings was held on the Community Housing Impact and Preservation program. The program is funded by the Home Investment Partnership, Ohio Public Trust Fund and Community Development Block Grant program, but because Steubenville is an entitlement city it's not eligible for any additional funding from CDBG.
CHIP eligibility in 2021 is capped at $250,000, he said.
A public hearing for the proposed reprogramming of 2014 action plan CDBG funds to cover another $16,655 in costs associated with installation of adult fitness equipment at two city parks as well as an extra $70,000 the city engineer says is needed to cover street improvement costs "over-and-above" the funds earmarked for the work.
Petrossi said they need to address accessibility issues with the park project, while higher gas prices mean the cost of asphalt is going up. He said extra expenses, like installation of guardrail, that weren't initially anticipated must be addressed.
The commission voted unanimously to request legislation from council authorizing the fund shift.
Board members also reorganized, choosing Theresa DiCarlantonio to serve as chair in 2021, Dave Snelling as vice chair and Mike Barber, returned as secretary.
Outgoing chairman William Hendricks said he's "been on the commission 20-some years, the chair for 15, and I've enjoyed it."
"But I'm at a place in my life where I like go see my grandkids," he added. "I think it's unfair sometimes for me not to come to a meeting and you guys need a chair. I want to stay on the commission but give up the chairmanship."