The Parkway Plastics application dominated the board’s agenda with detailed testimony from the company’s representatives, including Mr. Ned Rowan, the director of operations, and Mr. James Higgins, a professional planner. The variance involved storage containers on their property at Stelton Road, which had been flagged for non-compliance. Rowan detailed the operations of the family-owned business, highlighting its strategic location due to proximity to major transportation routes. Employing between 35 and 47 people, some of whom reside locally, the business operates continuously with a three-shift schedule, increasing to seven days a week during peak periods.

Rowan emphasized the aesthetic maintenance of the site, pointing out efforts to paint containers and fencing forest green to blend with the surroundings. He also proposed relocating certain containers to enhance site functionality and agreed to remove and replace others to meet township regulations. Despite these adjustments, the containers remain essential for storing finished goods, with the business handling an inventory of approximately 250 different plastic product shapes and sizes. The board scrutinized alternative storage solutions, such as permanent structures, but concerns about disruption to business operations prevailed.

Mr. Higgins supported the application by describing the property and its context. Spanning 3.81 acres, it is surrounded by industrial and commercial uses, including a nearby railroad and a Superfund site. He argued that the site’s topography and existing fencing mitigate the visual impact of the storage units. Higgins noted the site’s history of over 75 years for storage purposes and detailed improvements made by the current operator, including landscaping and grading to prevent water accumulation issues.

Concerns about flooding were addressed, with Higgins clarifying that the site does not flood traditionally but can become soft after heavy rain due to a drainage easement. The board considered the legality of container use, leading to a proposal for a written understanding to limit future additions and ensure removal upon property sale. The applicant agreed to these conditions, expressing pride in the property’s upkeep. Ultimately, the board approved the variance, allowing Parkway Plastics to maintain its operations with 75 containers on-site after removing ten.

In other matters, the board approved a variance application for Vinko Properties Holding LLC on Murray Avenue, involving setbacks for a garage. This application aimed to align the property’s aesthetics with neighborhood standards and improve property value. The board found the proposed adjustments reasonable, considering the existing structural conditions and the planned renovations.

Another application by Harun Mesa for a property on Park Avenue was also discussed. The proposal involved adding a second story to an existing single-family dwelling. The engineer, Paul Fletcher, argued that relocating the house due to non-conforming setbacks would impose an extreme hardship. The board agreed, noting the proposal did not worsen existing non-conformities and complied with variance criteria.

Additionally, Amitava Roy’s request for a six-foot privacy fence was approved. The fence aimed to provide privacy, protect a garden from deer, and ensure safety for his family. The board proposed a landscape buffer, which Roy agreed to, resulting in unanimous approval.

The meeting also addressed an application by Manish Patel for a second-story deck extension. Concerns about sight lines and privacy were mitigated by maintaining the house’s overall footprint. The board approved the request with conditions, including landscape screening and a street opening permit.

As the meeting concluded, a motion to dismiss an application due to the applicant’s absence was passed without objection. The board also adopted resolutions and minutes from previous meetings, rounding off the session before the July 4th holiday.