SCRANTON — The city zoning board gave a man trying to sell the unique, long-vacant “castle house” three months to produce a buyer before they decide whether it can be used as a three-unit apartment building.
Yury Abdurakhmanov — the brother of Russian artist Elena Flerova, who purchased the dilapidated house at 1021 Richmont St. in 2002 — appeared before the board Wednesday seeking a special exception to use the property as a multi-dwelling with three apartments. The Green Ridge house, known colloquially as “castle house” because of its turret, was a three-unit apartment building prior to Flerova’s ownership.
Abdurakhmanov told the board his relative would buy and complete repairs at the house, but only if the second and third floors could be rented as separate apartments. After hearing testimony from several residents concerned about the building housing three families, the board decided they needed more concrete assurance the house would sell before voting on the special exception.
The board then voted unanimously to give Abdurakhmanov until January to produce a buyer, or at least a written contract with a buyer, before voting on the special exception for three units.
A September city inspection of the Richmont Street house outlined numerous repairs needed to lift a condemnation notice there, including paint, electrical and plumbing work. Abdurakhmanov said after the meeting that his relative, who is currently in Russia, would complete necessary repairs after buying the building.
Scranton condemned the home in 2013 and issued a demolition order two years later, but the house has been spared the wrecking ball to this point.
Andrea Betress, a neighbor who opposes the house becoming a three-unit dwelling because of parking and other concerns, said she doesn’t want to see it demolished.
“It’s a beautiful building,” she said. “I would hate to see it torn down.”
The zoning board also:
n Granted Joseph Bonacci a variance to convert a dental office at 1344 N. Washington Ave. into a nanobrewery, a small-scale beer brewery and tasting room. Bonacci told the board he would not bottle beer on site, but instead sell beer via a tap system for patrons to enjoy in the tasting room or in growlers. The business will not be open later than 10 p.m., he said.
n Denied Girikrupa LLC a variance to convert a property at 305 Pittston Ave. into a two-unit apartment building, but granted the firm a separate variance to convert a different property at 424 S. Webster Ave. into a two-unit dwelling. The properties are owned by Rangesh Sha, who owns several properties in the neighborhood and addressed the board Wednesday.
n Announced a one-month continuance in the case of a convenience store/gas station project proposed at 1554 Sanderson Ave. in the city’s Green Ridge section.
Peter Spano’s pursuit of a variance to construct a 5,000-square-foot convenience store with six gas pumps there was likely to cause controversy, with members of the Green Ridge Neighborhood Association prepared to oppose the project. Several people left the meeting after learning the matter was continued.
In a Wednesday Facebook post, the neighborhood association said it is “opening a dialogue with (Spano) in an effort to come to an agreement on an acceptable use” of the property.
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Timeline: ‘Castle house’ in Scranton
2002: Russian artist Elena Flerova bought the house at 1021 Richmont St. in Green Ridge. The house previously had been a multi-dwelling with three apartments. She never lived there, but continued to pay the mortgage. While it remained unoccupied for many years, it fell into disrepair. The city was unable to locate her and notices went unanswered.
2013: The city condemned the home and issued a demolition order two years later.
October 2016: The city scheduled the house for razing, but delayed after some neighbors advocated to spare it.
November 2016: The city tracked down the mortgage/lien holder of the property, JPMorgan Chase.
January 2017: An attorney for the bank said it hoped to obtain ownership and renovate the house.
June 2017: With no progress from the bank, the housing appeals board upheld the demolition order. Still, the city held off demolition, waiting for movement from the bank or owner.
2018: Flerova’s brother, Yury Abdurakhmanov, came forward, saying the bank had released the mortgage in September 2017 and Flerova granted him power of attorney to sell the house.
July 2018: The housing appeals board granted a six-month extension on a demolition order.
December 2018: Abdurakhmanov said he still intends to sell the house.
September: A city inspection of the house outlined numerous repairs needed to lift the condemnation notice.
Wednesday: The city zoning board grants Abdurakhmanov a three-month continuance to produce a buyer or contract before voting on a special exception to reuse the house as a three-unit apartment building.