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Residents press Salem Township over unpermitted Route 819 land development, question enforcement
Summary
Residents told the Salem Township board that Daniels Excavating began land development on Route 819 in 2020 without land-development applications or required permits, raised safety and nuisance concerns, and questioned whether the board delayed enforcement; the solicitor said enforcement is in progress and the developer has been cooperative.
Residents at the July 17 Salem Township Board of Supervisors meeting accused Daniels Excavating of undertaking land development along Route 819 and Boggs Hollow Road beginning in 2020 without submitting required land-development applications or obtaining permits. Lisa Sagina told the board she and neighboring property owners received notice of the work years after construction began and asked why a stop-work order or earlier enforcement action was not issued.
"Ignorance of the law or bad advice is no excuse," Sagina said, urging the board to explain why the matter was not referred to planning before construction. She also questioned whether any board members or the solicitor had personal ties to the Daniels family; Supervisor Bob Zundel acknowledged a long-standing friendship with the Daniels family, while Solicitor Atty. Falatovich and Supervisor Kerry Jobe said they were not personal friends of Jim Daniels.
Solicitor Falatovich framed the situation as an enforcement matter and said the township is working to secure compliance; he told residents that Jim Daniels has been cooperative. Falatovich also explained that, under township ordinances as interpreted in the meeting, a landowner may begin certain work without a Highway Occupancy Permit, though PennDOT and township responsibilities for trimming and sight-distance maintenance were discussed after a resident referenced a July 1 PennDOT voicemail that placed some trimming responsibility on the township.
Other residents raised safety and nuisance concerns: Matt Humes said he owns property at the Kennan Road/Route 819 corner and questioned sight distances if a driveway is placed opposite Kennan Road; Ron Muir, who abuts the Daniels property, said he has been most affected by noise and provided a copy of Pennsylvania nuisance law for the board to review. Resident Debbie Perino and others also raised worries that some property owners have not obtained building permits and therefore may not be taxed appropriately; the board and solicitor said they are investigating enforcement steps.
No formal enforcement action or vote is recorded in the minutes; the board recorded that the issue is being addressed and encouraged by public discussion. Residents requested clearer communication and earlier planning review for developments affecting neighboring properties.
