Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The Warren County Zoning Hearing Board has approved a request to permit a physical therapy office to set up shop at the former Gamestop location at the Warren Commons.

The Warren County Zoning Hearing Board has approved a request that will result in a vacant Warren Commons storefront turning into a physical therapy office.

The subject location is the former Gamestop at 2775 Market St.

Ed Atwood, vice chair of the board, said a special exception is needed under the zoning ordinance for a medical clinic to be located in a business zoning district.

Jeff Bucci with Novacare Rehabilitation said the organization proposes a “satellite location” to the Warren Commons complex.

He said the facility would be staffed by a physical therapist, physical therapist assistant and front office administrator.

“We look to see probably 12 to 15 patients a day,” he said, “probably about 100 to 120 visits a week.”

Zoning Officer Michael Lyon called the term special exception “misleading.”

“It is just an allowable activity that is approved by the Zoning Hearing Board,” he said.

He pointed out the presence of the Warren General Hospital walk-in clinic at the same general location.

“From a zoning aspect,” he said, “there are no issues with it being approved.”

The board also approved a request from a Mead Twp. property owner looking to a variance to setback requirements.

Daniel Woodring told the board that setback requirements make it “almost impossible for me” to build a recreational cabin on a lot he purchased on Farnsworth Rd.He noted that “there’s nothing around the property” but wooded area with a “mountainside right behind me.”

Lyon said the parcel is 1.5 miles beyond where the township stops servicing the road and that “from his building site, (you) can’t see any of the other recreational cabins that are out there.”

Both requests were approved unanimously.