Warren city planners got their first look at Liberty West on Wednesday.They sent the plans for the proposed residential and commercial building "back to the drawing board" for some relatively minor changes.

Commission member David Sobina saw two potential problems with the site
plan for the four-story building to be erected on the southwest corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and Liberty St..

The building will include a bank with drive-through lanes exiting onto lower Liberty St.

Sobina said the fact that there is no line of vision between the drive-through exit and the sidewalk running parallel to the building and Liberty St. will pose a hazard.

With the opening of the nearby parking garage on Clark St., Sobina said, "There will be 350 people walking to the parking garage" and there is no line of sight for motorists exiting the drivethrough lanes.

Adding to the hazard, said Sobina, is the tendency of motorists in drivethrough lanes to "fumble with money."

"Your car is going to be over the sidewalk before you can ever see around the corner," said Sobina.

Commission chairman Pat Scutella said, "I think that's an excellent concern."

The commission gave general approval to the site plan in terms of compliance with zoning regulations, but indicated the configuration of the drivethrough lanes and sidewalk should be altered before the plans are resubmitted to the commission for final approval.

The second concern raised by Sobina is that plans call for converting lower Liberty St. into a boulevard. Sobina envisions motorists using the boulevard for parking and suggested the city take steps to prohibit parking along the boulevard.

The commission also approved three other matters related to "Impact Warren" and the proposed riverfront condominiums at Breeze Point Landing.

The widening of Liberty St. to create the boulevard was approved as was a request to extend
the "Parks and Preservation" zoning district from Breeze Point Landing, through Soldiers and Sailors Park and then under the Hickory Street Bridge and along Pennsylvania Ave. W.

City council member David See said, "What is being proposed is a riverwalk to the confluence of the Conewango Creek."

Current plans call for the walkway to pass under the new Hickory Street Bridge. The commission also approved a subdivision which will allow Susquehanna Development to construct the townhouses on 1.2 acres adjacent to Breeze Point Landing.

City council will have to approve the Liberty St. widening project, rezoning and subdivision
and the rezoning of the riverfront property will require a public hearing.

Sobina said he has reservations about devoting a large portion of the downtown riverfront primarily for the benefit of residents of the condominiums.

Member Don Nelson disagreed, saying "Before thoughts of Breeze Point Landing, this was a parking lot."

Nelson said he regards the riverfront plans as "ingenious and progressive" and "a huge step forward for this community." Scutella told Nelson, "I concur. Your points are well taken."

Sobina also questioned what happens if the city subdivides the land and the condominiums
are not built.

See said there is a reverter clause in the agreement between the city and Susquehanna Development which states that if the condos are not built within two years, the property reverts
to the city.

The commission approved the subdivision for the townhouses, with Scutella, Ken Holtz, Chris Park and William Tarpenning voting in favor of the measure and Sobina voting against it.