Drive-in, supervisors promise to try to resolve sign dispute

Source: The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.迷你倉Jan. 07--PORTAGE -- Although tempers flared and voices were raised at the Monday evening Portage Township meeting over impending litigation the supervisors are taking against the Bar-Ann Drive-In, both sides resolved to attempt to settle the matter before the end-of-month court date.Drive-in supporters, who packed the small township building and forced latecomers to stand, joined manager Dustin Grush as he grilled supervisors on issues surrounding the drive-in's sign, the Cyran Alley placement of which residents have reported as being problematic and unsafe.Township supervisors were recently informed by township Solicitor Calvin Webb that the township could be considered negligent if it didn't act on that information. Grush -- who was relentless in his questioning, as if the issue was at trial -- brought forth an ordinance that, as he understands, would absolve the township as long as the drive-in agrees to keep a liability policy on the sign.Supervisor Rick Olshavsky said that's not how the township sees it."(The drive-in has) liability coverage. It seems like it's a blanket coverage on the drive-in," he said. "Whenever you own a property, you're liable for it. We have the right of way. We're liable."But one resident said Portage Township cannot afford to lose the drive-in, to the cheers of the crowd.Although many residents voiced their own solutions, like an easement of the township right of way where the sign has sat for years and a state-approved barrier, like those used by PennDOT, township officials could only offer explanations as to why there is no easy solution.In regards to the easement, Olshavsky told the attendees that if part of t迷你倉將軍澳e alley is abandoned by the township, the parcel would go to whomever owned it before the township assumed the right of way in 2006."When we sell public property, we have to put it up for public bid," he said.New supervisor Bill Cooper, somewhat free from the crowd's ire due to it being his freshman term on the board, mediated between the two groups. Although Olshavsky has previously said the township is not targeting the drive-in and doesn't want to see it close, Cooper reiterated that sentiment."We will meet with your people and try to come to a solution so the drive-in doesn't have to close," he said.After the meeting concluded, Grush argued with nearby resident Bill Offman, the loudest voice against the drive-in's sign, in the township building lobby."Come and talk to us and see our problems," he urged Grush. "I've hit the curb, I've hit the sign. ... All the years I've lived there, I've complained."Although Offman said many in attendance didn't have a good grasp of what the issues are on Cyran Alley, Grush said he's happy for the progress."We're happy they agreed to sit down and meet with us. Hopefully we can work out a resolution to this problem," he said. "I think people are passionate about their drive-in. Once it's gone, it's gone for good."Grush said he's looking forward to setting up a date for the meeting, which needs to happen before the Jan. 24 preliminary hearing, sometime next week.Justin?Dennis covers Portage Township for The?Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/JustinDennis.Copyright: ___ (c)2014 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at .tribune-democrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services倉