It has been more than two decades since locals gathered for Newburgers, played video games in the game room or hit buckets of golf balls at the driving range at Sports Haven, 9887 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township.
It has been more than two decades since locals gathered for Newburgers, played video games in the game room or hit buckets of golf balls at the driving range at Sports Haven, 9887 Kinsman Road in Newbury Township.
Today, the parking lot of the once-popular local drive-in restaurant is full of weeds instead of cars, and the building sits forlorn, unoccupied and unkempt with peeling paint.
In May of last year, Newbury Township Trustees sent a letter to property owner Victoria Zappia, informing her zoning officials had received complaints the property had become an eyesore. During the year, residents continued to complain to trustees the property, near the west end of the township, was an unsightly greeting to motorists entering Newbury’s commercial area.
Trustees decided two years ago to pursue a growing list of derelict properties in the township, urging owners to clean and repair them, or demolish them.
After issuing multiple letters to the owners, they decided in January to continue the legal process of demolishing several unsafe structures, even though costs could deplete the township’s general fund, with little hope that placing liens on those parcels will ever recoup the money spent.
At their Jan. 9 meeting, trustees decided in order to protect the health and welfare of the township’s residents, they have an obligation to make sure the properties are cleaned up or demolished, even if they need to ask for a special levy at some point to pay for it.
At a Jan. 8 trustees meeting, Newbury Township Board of Zoning Appeals member Chris Yaecker told trustees he was tired of seeing the Sports Haven commercial property continuing to deteriorate. He told trustees the property owner owes $60,000 in back taxes and has stopped mowing its 21 acres. Trustees agreed Township Zoning Inspector John Boksansky needed to pursue the issue.
On Jan. 16, Yaecker, who lives near Sports Haven, said, “My neighbors and I have been patient these past 25 years waiting for (the Zappia family) to fix the problem. Mike Zappia would cut the grass and keep the place junk free. But now, it’s twice as bad with the grass uncut and junk littering the outside.”
In a phone call Feb. 11, Yaecker added, “Sports Haven is an iconic property in Newbury and many of us have fond memories of the good food and fun times. It was like our ‘Arnold’s’ from ‘Happy Days.’ Unfortunately, it has been closed for 25 years and allowed to fall into disrepair. It has become an eyesore for the community and my neighborhood. However, it’s a beautiful piece of land and a great location, with lots of potential.”
A BZA member did not any contact information for Victoria Zappia prior to press deadline.
On Jan. 31, Boksansky issued a detailed report, complete with several photographs, showing the blighted condition of the property’s three buildings. He cited high grass, abandoned buildings that appeared to be in a state of disrepair and unsafe, an out of date septic system, equipment scattered around the property, holes in the south facing elevation of the main building and peeling paint.
Boksansky issued a letter, dated Feb. 3, to Zappia, outlining the findings and ordering her to remove the vehicles and junk, and to make repairs. She has until March 3 to complete the clean-up.
