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Amtech Fence LLC granted use variance in Elk Township with conditions
Summary
After testimony from the applicant and planner, Elk Township’s Planning & Zoning Board granted Amtech Fence LLC a use variance for 541 Bridgeton Pike, approving limits on storage height, commitments for buffering and a requirement to return with a Site Plan within four months.
Elk Township’s Planning & Zoning Board voted to grant a use variance to Amtech Fence LLC for property at 541 Bridgeton Pike on Jan. 21, 2026, after hearing testimony from the applicant, the firm’s attorney and the Board’s planner and engineer.
Attorney Dante Parenti entered an appearance for Amtech and introduced principal Mark Amechi, who described the existing operation: three metal buildings (office 42 by 80 feet; two storage/assembly buildings), about 10 employees, office hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and yard hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., two tractor-trailers coming once per day and four roll-back trucks making roughly two trips per day. Amechi said the site totals about 26.2 acres, of which he estimated roughly 8 acres are currently used for storage. He acknowledged he had not obtained a use variance or Certificate of Occupancy when he started operations and said, "I didn’t know that I needed a Use Variance and I made a mistake." (Mark Amechi, principal, Amtech Fence LLC).
Planner Stephen Hawk testified the location on Route 77 is appropriate for the proposed commercial use under the Township’s Neighborhood Commercial Overlay, citing DOT traffic counts on that section of Route 77 and saying the company’s traffic would represent less than 1% of the roadway’s volume. Board Engineer Mr. Bach noted site constraints including wetlands pockets and recommended any approval be limited to a single access onto Bridgeton Pike.
During questioning, Mr. Bach and board members raised logistics and environmental compliance concerns. Amechi agreed to remove nonconforming storage containers ("C boxes"), limit outside storage heights to 12–15 feet, install buffering (trees and possibly a 6-foot opaque fence), and move a 30-yard dumpster away from Bridgeton Pike. On the topic of on-site liquids, Amechi said a plastic tote contains DEF used for trucks and that dispensing uses a pump without spill containment; Mr. Bach characterized the substance as potentially hazardous and the applicant agreed to make handling compliant with applicable regulations.
The Board opened a public comment period; resident Rod Wall asked about lighting impacts, and Mr. Bach said lighting will be addressed with the forthcoming Site Plan. Mr. Amechi and the Board’s consultant team committed to submitting a Site Plan within four months for formal engineering and stormwater review.
The motion to grant the Use Variance passed by roll-call vote (For: 7; Against: 0; Abstain: 0). The record shows that Chair Matt Afflerbach excused David Smith and Nate Lucas from participation on this application. The Board did not grant any Certificate of Occupancy; Mr. Bach and Solicitor Brandon DeJesus clarified that Certificate of Occupancy and final site compliance are separate processes that will be handled through the Site Plan review and applicable state and local statutes.
Next steps: Amtech must file a Site Plan and address stormwater and other engineering items; the Board’s engineer recommended limiting access to a single driveway on Bridgeton Pike and memorialized several conditions related to storage, buffering and hazardous materials handling.
