The next step in the conversion of a former fire company into a winemaking facility in Palmerton is on tap.

Barb Di LLC Property, will go before the borough’s zoning hearing board at 7 p.m. Tuesday in search of a variance to use about 4,000 square feet of the former West End Fire Company No. 2 for wine production and storage, as well as about 6,000 square feet for a self-storage facility.

Variances are also requested for sections of the borough zoning ordinance related to screening and fencing.

The property is located in an R-2 (medium density residential) zoning district.

The proposal has been rejected by borough zoning officer Duane Dellecker, who in his rejection letter dated Dec. 28 listed the reasons why he turned the plan down.

Dellecker states in his letter that a section of the zoning ordinance does not list a beverage distributor or manufacturing of beverage products or a self-storage development as permitted uses in the R-2 zoning district. Variances from this section of the ordinance will be required for these proposed uses.

“This office is thoroughly familiar with this property and believe the proposed uses can easily be supported by the available parking,” Dellecker states in his letter. “However, the application, as submitted, did not include sufficiently detailed information relating to the existing lot size and parking layout to adequately evaluate compliance with this and other requirements of the zoning ordinance.”

With regard to self-storage development use, a section of the zoning ordinance lists specific requirements for this use, Dellecker states in his letter. A review of this section indicates variances may be necessary from two subsections related to screening and fencing.

Further, Dellecker states in his letter that Article 2 of the zoning ordinance defines a land development to include “The division of allocation of space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of common areas, leaseholds or other features.”

“This office believes the intended uses divides or allocates space and creates leaseholds or other features that fall under this definition,” he said.

Dellecker also states in his letter that an interpretation or variance may be necessary, and that an opinion should be sought from the Palmerton Planning Commission/Borough Council on whether or not the provisions of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance apply before seeking an interpretation or variance to the definition found in the zoning ordinance.

Last month borough council unanimously approved the use for the building at 855 Princeton Ave.

The property is the former West End Fire Company No. 2 of Palmerton, which was sold. The property transfer was from the West End Fire Company No. 2 of Palmerton, property on Princeton Avenue, to Bard Di LLC, 4518 Joshua Lane, Walnutport, $165,000.

In 2018, the West End Fire Company No. 2 withdrew from the Palmerton Fire Department, meaning all fire response from West End Fire Company No. 2 in Palmerton was halted at that time.

The borough has continued to provide all emergency services out of the municipal fire station.