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EAC asks for stormwater, surfacing and use clarifications on proposed Berios auto‑sales site
Summary
Lower Saucon’s Environmental Advisory Committee reviewed a site plan for a proposed Berios one‑stop auto sales project and requested more information on surfacing materials, impervious‑surface changes, stormwater calculations, lighting and whether vehicle repair would occur on site.
The Lower Saucon Township Environmental Advisory Committee on June 9 reviewed a site plan for a proposed Berios one‑stop auto sales location and asked township staff to require clearer engineering details before the plan advances to the planning commission.
Committee members told staff the submission lacked basic labels for existing and proposed surfacing and did not show whether the additional parking would increase impervious surface in a way that requires new stormwater management calculations. The township engineer’s comment letter, reviewed by the group, notes surfacing should be labeled and that stormwater facilities and supporting calculations “may be required” under the township’s earth‑disturbance and stormwater chapters.
Members also raised public‑impact concerns. They asked staff to confirm whether proposed site lighting would be on all night, and whether vehicle repair or maintenance would be included with the sales use — an operational change that would trigger additional environmental controls for automotive fluids and runoff. The committee discussed catchment/trap options for oil and grease and suggested adding native planting and low‑impact development measures where feasible.
Committee members urged staff to assemble a concise list of required plan revisions for the applicant, including: labeled surfacing types, a revised impervious‑surface calculation, stormwater calculations or narrative, clarification of proposed site uses (sales only versus repair), and lighting/specification details to reduce night glare for neighbors. The panel did not take a formal vote on the plan at the meeting.
The committee also discussed parcel configuration: the plan appears to show parking crossing multiple parcels, and members recommended the planning commission verify whether the applicant intends to merge lots or meet zoning requirements across separate parcels.
Next steps: the advisory committee will forward its requested clarifications to the township manager and planning staff for follow‑up with the applicant; no approvals were granted at the June 9 meeting.
