by Wilkes-Barre Zoning Board Approves New Nail Salon and More Housing Units in Wyoming Area
WILKES-BARRE, WYOMING, PA — New businesses and housing are on the horizon in the Wyoming section of Wilkes-Barre following a productive Zoning Hearing Board meeting held Wednesday evening.
Among the highlights: approval for a nail and beauty salon, along with a new apartment unit at a long-vacant commercial site at 425 S. Main St.
Housing Expansion at S. Main Street Building
Ivelisse Professional Building LLC received a special exception to convert part of the building at 425 S. Main St. into a fifth apartment unit. The property currently features two commercial spaces on the ground floor and will now include:
- Two 1-bedroom apartments
- Two 3-bedroom apartments
- One 2-bedroom apartment
This updated plan is a scaled-back version of a previous proposal that requested nine apartments, which the board denied.
Currently, all residential units and one commercial space are unoccupied. Building owner Ivelisse De La Cruz, however, continues to run a business in the left-side commercial unit, offering services such as vehicle title and tag registration, money transfers, and insurance.
The board also approved a parking variance, reducing the required number of spaces from 19 to 13. Attorney Frank Hoegen, representing De La Cruz, noted that reserved parking would be provided for tenants.
Additional improvements will include:
- Brick and stucco finishing on the exterior
- New windows for the apartments
- ADA-compliant updates to a rear ground-floor unit
- A third-floor addition with an internal stairwell, reducing retail space slightly
A previous request to waive drainage and grading regulations was withdrawn, as the owner now plans to meet city code.
Neighboring business owner Gary Druby, of Abe’s Hot Dogs, raised concerns about traffic increases, but Hoegen countered by emphasizing the long-standing presence of the current four apartments and the lack of a formal traffic study.
As a condition of approval, the board required the installation of a greenery strip along Sullivan Street to prevent unauthorized access to the parking area.
New Nail & Beauty Salon Approved on Lehigh Street
Also approved was a proposal by Caroline Suarez de Romero to convert a nonconforming space at 89 Lehigh St. from a party planning business into a nail and beauty salon.
Interpreted by Natalie Mejia, Suarez de Romero outlined plans for:
- One pedicure station
- One manicure station
- One hair styling chair
- Appointment-only service, Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The salon was granted a variance to waive two parking spaces and approved with the condition of no more than two employees, to limit traffic in the residential neighborhood.
Garage Use Application Withdrawn for Clarification
An application submitted by Coal Region Realty LLC to convert a vacant 2,400-square-foot garage at 402–404 Park Avenue into a storage and personal vehicle maintenance facility was withdrawn after board concerns.
Owner Jared Lekowski explained he intended to lease the space to a New York resident for vehicle storage and material collection from home cleanouts. However, board members questioned whether this truly qualified as “personal use.”
Because the proposed tenant was not present to answer questions, the board recommended the application be refiled with clearer details and that the tenant attend the next meeting. Neighbor Gary Ankner also voiced concerns about potential noise.
Other Approvals
Three additional applications were approved:
- Brian Krahel, for variances to construct a shed at 240 Matson Avenue, reducing the required side and rear yard setbacks from 5 feet to 3 feet.
- Veronica Cruz, to extend a driveway at 158 High St. from 20 feet to 38 feet (reduced from an initial request of 46 feet).
- Birdhouse Outdoor, to install three non-illuminated vinyl wall signs at 421 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, pending an additional signature from the property owner.
These new approvals signal growth and revitalization in Wilkes-Barre’s Wyoming district, with fresh businesses and updated housing options taking shape across the city.
