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Neighbors complain of dumpsters, sight‑line and flooding issues at 330 Linden Street; staff to inspect
Summary
Multiple residents urged the planning commission to investigate changes at 330 Linden Street after they say a garbage enclosure and fence were relocated against a long‑time neighbor's garage, allegedly violating setback rules and creating safety, drainage and lighting problems. Staff said enforcement authority exists and will inspect the site and verify compliance with the approved plan.
Several residents told the commission they believe the approved garbage enclosure at 330 Linden Street was installed in a different location than the site plan and that the enclosure now sits adjacent to a neighbor’s garage, creating safety, nuisance and code compliance issues.
Doreen Burns, who said she lives at 1106 Easton Road, said the enclosure was placed six inches from her garage and that the developer or contractor removed an existing fence and relocated the enclosure against the garage. "They moved the fence and put it against the garage where now houses 2 dumpsters," Burns said, adding that multiple individual trash cans were left inside the enclosure and recycling was not being handled as required.
Neighbors and commissioners described alleged violations including dumpsters placed within less than the required distance from adjoining property, an enclosure without a gate, and a configuration that impairs sight lines when residents back out of their garages. Attendees also raised that a handicap parking space was effectively blocked by a utility pole, and that placement of dumpsters reduced available parking in winter when on‑street spaces are used.
Residents including April Gallagher also described increased runoff and ponding since removal of a former warehouse ramp and changes to grading: "Now since that's moved, all the water comes ... it's a waterfall," one neighbor said, describing water entering yards and garages. Neighbors reported bright parking‑lot lighting that spills onto adjacent yards; staff said the property owner has engaged a lighting consultant and will submit updated lighting plans.
Staff and commission members discussed whether the built work matched the approved drawings. The planning staff said the site‑plan decision gives the zoning officer authority to enforce the approval and that staff will inspect the property, measure the enclosure setbacks and confirm whether the constructed layout matches the final approved plan. If the work differs from the conditions of approval, staff said the borough can require the owner to correct the installation and bring the site into compliance.
Commissioners asked staff to verify whether easements or neighbor agreements applied in any specific case and to check whether a loading zone or handicap parking had been relocated contrary to approvals. Staff committed to follow up and report findings to the commission.
