City takes Poorman to Court over Collision Center Signs

LOCK HAVEN — The City of Lock Haven is in the process of taking a Lock Haven businessman to court, Stephen Poorman charged with failing to comply with the city’s off-premise sign law.

City zoning officer Cyndi Walker said today week that Poorman failed to respond within the required 30-day notice of violation period for an off-premise sign on his property on E. Church St., the sign for the Collision Center in Castanea Township. City regulations for off-premise signs require approval from the Lock Haven Zoning Hearing Board and Walker said no one has sought that approval. Poorman had until March 24 to respond for the Church St. signage; Walker said he did not and the city legal department is in the process of forwarding the matter to district court for resolution. Walker said the penalty is a fine up to $500 and court costs.

Walker provided an update on a Collision Center sign posted on a Grove St. wall at a former Poorman property now owned by Heffner LLC. She said the new ownership has instructed the Collision Center to seek zoning board approval for the sign or have it removed; in the meantime the sign has been covered with black plastic.

Poorman is also under notice for an off-premise sign for the Robert Rosemeier property at Bellefonte Avenue and Commerce St. She said he has until April 23 or that matter will go to the magistrate.

The Collision Center is a Castanea Township business operated by the Rosemeier family. Poorman has power of attorney for Robert Rosemeier, a local businessman who with Poorman is now involved in litigation relative to the sale of his holdings at Bellefonte Avenue and Commerce St.