Neighbors worry about traffic, loss of 'peace' with Dollar General planned near Frackville

Apr. 13—SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS — A hearing held by the West Mahanoy Township Zoning Hearing Board on a variance request to allow the operation of retail store in a residentially zoned area ended without a decision.

The board heard testimony on the variance request from LGN Management LLC, Williamsport, a part of Hutchinson Companies LLC, Williamsport, to construct a Dollar General on a property zoned residential near Route 61. The site is near the Schuylkill Technology Center-Frackville.

Also testifying on Wednesday were neighborhood residents opposed to the variance and store.

Zoning hearing board Chairman Charles Lawson and member William Grutza attended, as did board solicitor Robert E. Matta, who ran the hearing. Not attending was board member Joseph Payne.

Matta began the hearing providing the background on the request for a variance at 620 S. Lehigh Ave. According to the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator, the property is owned by Theodore Kaliher, Theodore Kaliher Jr., Christine Gregory and Angela Chuplis.

Matta said that LGN seeks a variance from the following township zoning ordinance provisions:

—To allow a proposed retain store to be built in the R-3 Residential District.

—To allow the width of driveways in and out of the property to exceed the maximum width of 30 feet at the two access points so delivery trucks can maneuvers.

—To allow two 100-square-foot building signs. The current maximum size is 30 square feet.

Representing the applicant in testimony were Hutchinson Vice President Gabriel A. Hutchinson and Mark A. Magrecki, manager of the Penn Terra Engineering Inc. office in Lancaster. Legal representation was provided by attorney Denise Lynn Dieter of Drier & Dieter Law Offices.

The primary objectors were those who live near site: Theodore and Lucia Salamak and their son, Andrew Salamak, 629 S. Penn St.; Kimberly Gonzales, 625 S. Penn St.; and Joseph Powlick, 621 S. Penn St. They were represented by attorney Emeline L. Kitchen Diener.

Magrecki distributed a sketch plan of the project and the design of the signs. There was a larger sketch plan on display for Magrecki's presentation and to answer specific questions.

The store is designed to be 10,640 square feet. The property runs parallel to Route 61 (South Lehigh Avenue) on the east side, South Penn Street on the west side and Votech Road on the north side.

The site is 1.5 acres.

He said that trucks, such as tractor-trailers from Dollar General, other delivery trucks, garbage trucks and others, would access the site from Route 61 at the south side of the property. Those trucks would exit the property onto Votech Road, which leads back to Route 61. The vehicles would not use South Penn Street.

If the project gets the variance, there are still many more steps before construction could begin.

"This is just our first step. We have a long road to hoe," Magrecki said, noting there would still be the need to look into stormwater management, obtaining a highway occupancy permit from PennDOT for Route 61 and other permitting through the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Hutchinson answered questions from both attorneys about how many trucks would enter the property per week, the hours the story would be open, the lighting outside and how it would affect local properties. The plans could be adjusted to accommodate the neighborhood.

When the objectors to the variance were asked to speak, Theodore Salamak said he has lived in his house for 33 years.

"This a nice quiet neighborhood," Salamak said, adding that having a retail store in the small neighborhood would have a negative effect.

"The area has a gorgeous landscape," Lucia Salamak said. "All the homes are well maintained and we have great relations with the vo-tech. It is peaceful and quiet. We are happy. I want peace."

Gonzales spoke about moving to her home last year and said she loves the area. She challenged the variance request, and said if the variance is approved and everything moves forward that she is "going to move."

Andrew Salamak provided photos of other Dollar General locations where trash and recyclable materials were piled high. Hutchinson said that the locations in the photos were not connected to any LGN properties.

The final person to speak was Powlick, a resident of the neighborhood for 41 years. Traffic was his primary concern.

"This area is nice and peaceful," Powlick said. "With the additional traffic, there will be a lot more wrecks."

After all speakers, Matta said that the board would meet to discuss the hearing and its transcripts and would convene at another meeting to announce its ruling on the variance request.

Contact the writer: jusalis@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023