After hearing two and a half hours of sometimes emotional testimony and public comment Thursday night [4 January 2024], the [Newtown Zoning Hearing Board] continued the hearing until February 1, 2024, when it will issue its decision on whether the sign can stay or or has to come down.
The owners of the popular Jewish deli, which opened last spring, are appealing a notice from the township that its red and green neon sign containing the deli's name violates the township's ordinance, which states that “any sign illuminated by inert gas or any form of exposed tubes is prohibited."
The township filed the notice after receiving complaints, one of which the Borscht Belt owners contend came from a known antisemitic who has had issues with the deli.
The township’s lawyer, Dave Sander, opened the hearing by asking the board to immediately deny the appeal arguing that the eatery failed to file an appeal within 30 days of the issuance of the violation notice, which it’s required to do under the law.
After adjourning into a brief executive session, the zoning board said it would take Sander's request under advisement as it considers the appeal, but decided to move forward with the hearing.
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