Variance Approved for the Colony
By Diana DeCola, ddecola@mariettatimes.com May 4, 2006
Marietta’s planning commission unanimously granted a zoning variance for off-premise parking for the Colony Theatre Wednesday.
The theater asked for the variance because it has no parking of its own, but there are nearby locations that could be available to theater patrons. The lot being considered is at the corner of Third and Putnam Streets, owned by Dan Stephan. The lot has spaces that are rented during business hours but are available in the evening.
“They meet the number of spaces required (by city code), they’re just across the street,” said Wayne Rinehart, a member of the planning commission.
Bob Badger, Washington County engineer and a volunteer for the theater renovation project, said the lot is 82½ feet across the street, keeping it inside the 200 feet requirement by the city. He said with those spaces and additional spaces at 309 Putnam St., there would be 45 total.
It was also mentioned that, with most events going on in the evening, parking should not be a problem. Overall, the commission and others who attended the meeting supported the variance and the project itself.
“I think the Colony Theatre can be an economic driver for Marietta,” said local community member, Bill Wesel.
“I would support Mr. Wesel’s claim,” said Mayor Michael Mullen. “This is an economic engine and a cultural and social engine.”
Mullen moved for the exception to be granted which was voted for unanimously.
Lloyd Roth, who conducted the commission meeting, spoke a little on the history of the theater.
“When I first came to Marietta, there were four theaters,” he said. “The Hippodrome was the top of the line theatre. It was the best of the four.”
“We thank you all for your support of the theater project,” Dan Stephan said.
Badger said now that the variance request has been granted, construction is set to begin in September and should take about a year.
Recently the project received a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia, which brought to an end the renovation project’s first phase of fund-raising. The goal for the first phase was $1.5 million.
Marietta’s planning commission unanimously granted a zoning variance for off-premise parking for the Colony Theatre Wednesday.
The theater asked for the variance because it has no parking of its own, but there are nearby locations that could be available to theater patrons. The lot being considered is at the corner of Third and Putnam Streets, owned by Dan Stephan. The lot has spaces that are rented during business hours but are available in the evening.
“They meet the number of spaces required (by city code), they’re just across the street,” said Wayne Rinehart, a member of the planning commission.
Bob Badger, Washington County engineer and a volunteer for the theater renovation project, said the lot is 82½ feet across the street, keeping it inside the 200 feet requirement by the city. He said with those spaces and additional spaces at 309 Putnam St., there would be 45 total.
It was also mentioned that, with most events going on in the evening, parking should not be a problem. Overall, the commission and others who attended the meeting supported the variance and the project itself.
“I think the Colony Theatre can be an economic driver for Marietta,” said local community member, Bill Wesel.
“I would support Mr. Wesel’s claim,” said Mayor Michael Mullen. “This is an economic engine and a cultural and social engine.”
Mullen moved for the exception to be granted which was voted for unanimously.
Lloyd Roth, who conducted the commission meeting, spoke a little on the history of the theater.
“When I first came to Marietta, there were four theaters,” he said. “The Hippodrome was the top of the line theatre. It was the best of the four.”
“We thank you all for your support of the theater project,” Dan Stephan said.
Badger said now that the variance request has been granted, construction is set to begin in September and should take about a year.
Recently the project received a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia, which brought to an end the renovation project’s first phase of fund-raising. The goal for the first phase was $1.5 million.
Notice: Undefined index: HTTP_REFERER in /home/fbx/colonytheatre.com/lib/modules/m_news.php on line 18
Back to news index <