New Kensington motorcycle club dealt setback in plan to use former office building as clubhouse
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A New Kensington motorcycle club will have to make its case to city council for why it should be allowed to use a former office building in a residential area as its clubhouse.
The city’s planning commission voted to not recommend giving the Vultures Motorcycle Club a conditional use approval to use the one-story brick building at the corner of Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue.
City council will be required to hold a public hearing, after which its members could decide differently. A date is not yet known.
“You still have hope,” commission member Garry Garrison said.
Vultures Secretary Jackie Bush said the club has eight active members. She described it as a social, family-oriented club that now meets in a garage.
In its application to the city, the club said the building would be used for meetings, functions and benefit rides. Events would include a Mother’s Day dinner, Fourth of July cookout, Thanksgiving dinner and Toys for Tots toy drive.
Misconduct and drama would not be tolerated, and no revving of engines would be allowed.
“Everyone gets the wrong impressions about motorcycle club(s),” the application states. “Yes, while some are bad news, we are a family oriented social club of friends and family who love riding motorcycles. We do functions where family is invited, including children.
“We just would love the chance to show and prove what a great club we are and to change the minds of those who believe all bikers are bad news.”
The commission voted 4-0 to not recommend approval. Member Randi Shank was absent.
Although the building previously housed offices, it is in an R1, low-density residential area. Planning commission member Marvin Birner said he had initiated the rezoning of the area more than 20 years ago.
Using the building for offices again would not be a problem, but the club’s request does not meet the criteria for a conditional use, Birner said.
Birner said putting the clubhouse in the building would be no different than other neighborhoods, and there are other places in the city where it could be located.
“I don’t think what you’re doing is a proper fit for that neighborhood,” he told Bush.
Although he voted against recommending approval, commission member Mike Keyes said the club’s intentions sound good.
Bush presented the commission with a petition purportedly containing 10 signatures she said were from residents of the area supportive of the club’s use of the building. When they were collecting signatures, she said, they found some houses in the area are empty.
Bush said the club signed a one-year lease for the building with Olde Towne Overhaul. According to Westmoreland County property records, Olde Towne Overhaul bought the property from Citizens General Hospital in November 2020 for $25,000.
While Olde Towne Overhaul has been making improvements to the building, including flooring and painting, Bush said the club has already put up new signs. She said the club has also been cleaning up the area around the building.
Olde Towne Overhaul President Michael Malcanas, who did not attend the planning commission’s meeting, said he was disappointed by its decision.
“Being a lay person not involved in government, one would think this would be the main purpose of the planning commission to help facilitate the growth and reintroduction of tenants into these old buildings — some sitting empty for 20 to 30 years — not actively working against positive momentum,” he said.
“If the planning commission approved the original building of a commercial building 20 years ago, how can they rezone it to a residential building and use that as excuse to not allow a tenant?” he said. “It’s not a house, it’s a brick office building that the city obviously approved to be built.
“Now they are just using red tape and excuses to selectively not allow a tenant they dislike.”