Planning commission tables Daniels' concrete batch plant application after residents cite noise, traffic and water concerns

Salem Township’s Planning Commission on July 3 voted to table a land-development application from property owner James Daniels for a storage yard and concrete batch plant at 1855 State Route 819 after engineers flagged required plan corrections and residents pressed safety and environmental concerns.

Holly Lorenzo, senior project engineer for Apex Companies LLC, told the commission that the submitted plan lacks several required elements, including deed and tax-book references, a clear statement of purpose and total acreage, topographic contours and existing building locations, water-line and fire-hydrant information, setback lines, stormwater and erosion-control approvals, parking and circulation details, identified ingress and egress points, and a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit. Lorenzo said additional agency approvals from the Westmoreland County Conservation District (WCD), DEP/SEO and PennDOT will be needed before final recordings.

Residents raised multiple complaints during public comment. Lisa Segina said she noticed heavy truck traffic and asked how the project proceeded without visible township oversight. "It looks like a cover up and clean up," Segina said, and she urged the township to hold the owner responsible for legal and planning fees. Debbie Perino asked how property for the trail is obtained and whether building permits had been issued. Carmine Pontillo questioned whether an environmental impact study was performed; Holly Lorenzo replied that DEP received a July 5, 2022 report concluding the concrete plant was exempt from plan approval based on calculated dust emissions and that a dust collector is part of the operation.

James Daniels, the property owner, said DEP advised that millings cannot sit for more than two years and that material on site is rotated. Holly Lorenzo added that, under the existing DEP permit, six-month sampling is required and sample results are submitted to DEP. Ron Muir described persistent early-morning noise and said, "Today at 5:08 a.m. I heard a cement truck mixer spinning for 20–30 minutes." Several nearby residents said noise, dust, and concerns about runoff affecting springs and wells have reduced their quality of life.

Solicitor Gary Falatovich and Chair Connie Mattei noted that the supervisors can give final approval while some third-party items remain outstanding, but the mylar cannot be signed and recorded until requirements are satisfied. The commission ultimately voted to table the application; Paul Holleran moved to table and John Durco seconded. Commissioners Durco, Holleran and Chair Mattei voted in favor.

The commission directed that outstanding engineering comments, required permits (including a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit), and agency approvals (DEP/SEO, WCD) be obtained and addressed before the plan is recorded or acted on further. The application will return when those items are resolved and evidence of required approvals is provided.

The Planning Commission also agreed that SALDO revisions remain under active review by supervisors and scheduled the next regular commission meeting for August 7, 2024, if an agenda is posted.