• Home
  • Public notices
  • Voter Information
  • About Us
  • Contact

North East PA Online

For North East Township and North East Borough

  • North East Township
  • North East Borough
  • North East School District
  • Greenfield Township

Rezoning Issue Raises Tensions in Planning and Supervisors Meetings

June 2, 2015 by Paul Crowe

Rezoning request focuses on property on South Washington behind Roberts Trucking
Rezoning request focuses on property on South Washington behind Roberts Trucking

The Monday evening meetings of both the North East Township planning commission and the supervisors brought a group of residents from the neighborhood centered on South Washington street to air concerns over a proposed rezoning, from R2 residential to B1 commercial, of a property, owned by Lloyd and Joan Bemiss, adjacent to the Roberts Trucking Company. The previous meeting of the planning commission had given the preliminary OK to the rezoning request. During Monday's meeting, the commission said their OK was based on the fact that they heard no objections at that time, even though, as brought out Monday, few knew the commission would be discussing the issue at the prior meeting.

Residents cite numerous problems already

The residents' concerns focus on the probable sale of the property to Roberts Trucking. Both the planning commission and the supervisors heard a long list of complaints about truck traffic, noise, dust and safety caused by trucks already operating from the facility. They noted semis are frequently driving through the residential area using South Washington street, which is posted with a 10 ton weight limit as a route to and from the Roberts location despite numerous calls to township supervisors, the trucking company and state police. Noise issues stem from back up alarms sounding at all hours of the night, heavy usage of Jake Brakes to slow trucks down and the additional noise of heavy truck repair now being performed there.

The property considered for rezoning seems to require access to South Washington street for almost any use the trucking company would have planned, dramatically increasing heavy truck traffic through the residential community, above what is already occurring. There is also concern over some possible uses of the property, such as a cold storage facility which would require large amounts of ammonia to be stored on the property, a potential hazard to the residents should a leak occur.

As several residents asked at the meetings, if existing problems cannot be resolved, what will happen if the trucking company expands?

What's actually going on?

Both the planning commission and supervisors seemed surprised at the level of concern. Planning commission member Susan Sprague appeared to dismiss residents' concerns, saying the ball field on South Washington would provide a sufficient buffer for residents from the noise and truck traffic. She also indicated the township was following a plan for development and this commercial area was a part of it. Supervisors said they knew nothing of any action on the part of Roberts Trucking, they were only considering the rezoning as a request from a property owner. In both cases, there seems to be little information available to the public to see what is planned for their neighborhood.

Transparency is absolutely necessary

Everyone involved in this process would benefit from greater transparency and communication. If there are major plans for expansion in the neighborhood, both Roberts Trucking and township officials should be very clear about what those plans are instead of keeping them from residents until the last minute. Residents are trying to present their concerns and ask questions. If their inquiries are met with silence or their concerns dismissed, the controversy will only grow. No one in North East will benefit from that.

Filed Under: Planning and Zoning Tagged With: North East Township

Let’s work together to keep an eye on things

  1. Everyone has the right to know what their government is doing.
  2. Transparency is expected in all government meetings and daily operations.
  3. Everyone working for the government works for, and is answerable to, you and me.
  4. All laws, regulations, ordinances, budgets, audits and other public records should be freely available, preferably online, for citizens to examine without special fees and paperwork before they can do so.
  5. When municipalities seek bids for contract work, all bid documents should be available online, free of charge. Printed copies, if requested, should be offered at cost.
  6. Agendas should be posted online a minimum of 3 days before public meetings take place allowing interested citizens an opportunity to hear discussions and offer input on matters important to them.
Like this website? Spread the word. Tell everyone about NorthEastPAOnline.com!
« Bid Invitation for Seal and Stripe of Parking Lot at College View Manor in North East
What is the North East Area Comprehensive Plan? »

Comments

  1. Sue Nunn says

    June 5, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Electronic back-up alarms present a significant type of sleep-disturbing noise pollution. The federal government requires an audible alarm on heavy equipment. However, electronic-tone alarms, which are the most disturbing to human nervous systems, are not the only kind of alarm that meets the required standard. Roberts Trucking should replace their electronic alarms with mechanical bell alarms. The bell-type alarms were common in the 1970s and are still being manufactured. The sound does not travel as far into the distance, and these alarms meet federal requirements.

Looking for something?

Keep up to date with North East PA Online

Be the first to know. Just enter your email address to receive an alert whenever we publish new information for North East residents. Thank you!

Upcoming NE Township Meetings & Agendas

December 27th
Supervisors End of Year Meeting 10AM

January 6th, 2020
Planning Commission Meeting 7PM

Supervisors Meeting 7:30PM

Agendas are usually available approximately 3 days before meetings take place.

What’s new on: Erie County Report

Maybe a Community College Isn’t a 21st Century Solution

Do You Think Erie County Should Be in the College Business?

Are Erie’s Community College Proponents Aware of Nationwide Enrollment Declines?

What Exactly is an Erie County Community College Supposed to Be?

Voter ID Bill Introduced in PA House

Nuisance Wildlife Removal

Siford's Wildlife Services
Animal problems around your home or business? Call Siford's Wildlife Services
814 969-4188

Copyright © 2019 · North East PA Online · Website by Crowe Computer Services
US Army veteran owned and operated
This website proudly Made in the USA!
Made in the USA