The owner of a Sunoco gas station-convenience store in downtown Irwin will be allowed to expand his building to add walk-in coolers.

By a 2-0 vote Monday, the Irwin Zoning Hearing Board approved a request by store owner Robert Dobariya for a variance to expand the non-conforming commercial use of his property at 623 Oak St., which is in an area zoned for medium density residential housing.

The board, however, warned that it will not allow another expansion of the store. The building, which formerly was a service station, was in operation before the advent of zoning in Irwin, said Justin Kachmarek, borough zoning officer.

The owner wants to make the changes to the building as soon as possible, said Roger Richey, general manager of the store.

Richey testified for Dobariya, who did not attend the hearing. The property is owned under the corporate name of Preedhar LLC of Bridgeville, according to the Westmoreland County tax map.

The owner is proposing a 26-foot-by-12-foot concrete pad to the left side of the structure to hold the walk-in cooler covering a 26-foot-by-10-foot space, according to Richey. The existing exterior wall will be removed to create the larger space for the cooler, Richey said.

The cooler will make it easier for the employees to stock the beverages, Richey said. The beverage vendors still will bring the drinks through the front door, Richey said.

Expanding the building will necessitate reducing the size of the fenced-in area holding a dumpster, Richey said.

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