Salem planning commission tables application for storage yard and concrete batch plant after residents raise safety, noise and dust concerns

The Salem Township Planning Commission on July 3 tabled a land‑development application from property owner James Daniels for a storage yard and concrete batch plant at 1855 State Route 819 after engineers, the solicitor and multiple residents identified outstanding technical requirements and raised health, safety and permitting concerns.

Holly Lorenzo, senior project engineer with Apex Companies LLC, reviewed the submission and listed numerous items required under the township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and state rules, including deed book and tax references, a statement of purpose, total acreage, existing conditions topographic contours and buildings dated to the engineer's 6‑17‑24 stamp, water line and hydrant locations, road and right‑of‑way dimensions for SR 819, Boggs Hollow Road, Kennan Drive and River Lane, required front/side/rear setback lines, off‑street parking counts, ingress/egress locations, stormwater management and erosion control approvals, SEO/DEP review for on‑lot sanitary facilities, a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) note on the plan, and required seals and revision numbering.

"A highway occupancy permit is required ... before driveway access to a State highway is permitted," Lorenzo said, reading the PennDOT note that must be added to the plan. She also said the federal and county reviews do not substitute for the listed SALDO elements and that several third‑party approvals remain outstanding.

Several nearby residents told the commission they are experiencing noise, dust and truck‑traffic problems. Resident Lisa Segina said cement trucks exiting onto SR 819 are dangerous, alleged delayed oversight and described the situation as a "cover up and clean up," and urged Daniels to pay the township's solicitor and planning fees as an example to others. Resident Ron Muir said he hears mixer trucks and form work in the early morning hours, reporting an incident at about 5:08 a.m. when a cement mixer spun for 20–30 minutes.

Commission Chair Connie Mattei confirmed construction of the concrete batch plant began in August 2020 and said a subdivision plan was submitted in 2017; she advised residents to raise permitting and enforcement concerns at the Board of Supervisors meeting on July 17. Holly Lorenzo said DEP requires six‑month sampling associated with the operating permit regime and that a July 5, 2022 DEP report indicated the plant was exempt from plan approval and operating permit requirements based on calculated dust emissions; she and the solicitor noted DEP and the Westmoreland County Conservation District (WCD) remain authorities for technical monitoring and enforcement.

Daniels told the commission he was advised by DEP that millings used on site cannot sit for more than two years and that they are rotated frequently. Resident Carmine Pontillo asked if an environmental impact study was performed; Lorenzo said DEP addressed the matter in its July 5, 2022 report, and Daniels said he retains an engineer to monitor dust.

After discussion, Paul Holleran moved and John Durco seconded a motion to table the application "due to the various issues noted above." Commissioners Durco, Holleran and Mattei voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously. The commission did not sign or record any mylar pending satisfaction of outstanding technical and third‑party approvals.

The commission also continued its work on SALDO revisions and set the next regular meeting for August 7, 2024 if an agenda is posted.