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Telecommunications firm to move its HQ to former banquet hall

NEW HEADQUARTERS — The former Serbian-American Cultural Center, located on Colliers Way in Weirton, is expected to have a new future with plans by Lauttamus Communications. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — A new future is on its way for the former Serbian-American Cultural Center.

The Weirton Zoning Board of Appeals, during its meeting Tuesday night, approved a variance request, submitted by Paul Lauttamus for the building at 1000 Colliers Way.

The variance, which was approved unanimously, would allow the construction of an addition to the building, with a 9-foot setback from the rear property line. The city’s Unified Development Ordinance requires a 15-foot setback in a planned unit development district.

Discussing his plans, Lauttamus announced he would be moving operations for his company, Lauttamus Communications, into the building.

“We’re doing our corporate headquarters in the banquet area,” Lauttamus said, noting the right side would be used for space to hold meetings and other activities for the business.

He also mentioned space for a basketball court and baseball practice facility and the inclusion of a garage and warehouse area.

“We’ll employ about 85 people at this facility,” he said.

Lauttamus said he has spoken to many of the nearby residents, and has not received any negative response to his plans.

“They’re glad someone is going to bring it back,” he said, explaining the building had been purchased out of receivership from a local bank.

Planning and Development Director Jessica Gumm noted the city had no objections to the proposal, explaining there were no other buildings to the rear of the property, and the nearby hillside was too steep to allow for future development.

The Zoning Board, by a 4-1 vote, also approved an administrative appeal, filed by John Greco, regarding the non-conforming use status of C. Kerstetter Ventures, LLC, also known as Kitties Lounge, at 3179 Main St.

Attorney Mike Adams, representing Greco, stated the business had a history of zoning permits issued because of its non-conforming use, but the last permit expired in February 2018. The permits, Adams stated, must be renewed every year.

Gumm stated the business license is current. She explained she has reached out to the business owner, through multiple means, but has received no response. The owner will have 30 days to appeal the ruling.

In other business, the Zoning Board approved:

¯ A variance for Aladdin Signs, on behalf of the Weirton Shopping Center, to allow a 15-foot monument sign at 412 Penco Road. Dan Holiday of Aladdin Signs, explained the new sign will replace the existing sign for the plaza, and will include space to list the plaza’s tenants.

¯ Two sign variances for Dance by Hillary and Snyder Wealth at 243 Three Springs Drive, allowing two signs to be placed on the same store frontage and for the signs’ sizes to vary from the requirements.

¯ A variance for Signs Limited, on behalf of Dan Spanovich, to extend an existing monument sign to approximately 17 feet, instead of the required 10 feet.

¯ Two variances allowing the expansion of a non-conforming use at Nick’s Auto, 1295 Cove Road, to allow the construction of an extra garage on the side of the existing building.

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