Washington Township business accused of starting work on parking lot addition without approval

The Washington Township supervisors postponed the approval of a parking lot addition to a business which, a neighbor says, started construction without it.

Tarp America and its owner, Michael Gazzo, requested the supervisors’ approval for an unlighted 60-foot-by-60-foot parking lot expansion and signs at its location, 920 Route 380. Tarp America makes and sells custom tarp coverings and systems.

The purpose of the addition would be to accommodate parked trailers of D. Pierce Transportation, a trucking company which also has an office at the Tarp America location.

Leah Shaner, a Utopia Road resident whose property borders Tarp America’s, lodged a complaint about the proposal. He said the company already is moving fill onto the site for the addition.

“We’re not being included in the conversations about this, me and my neighbors,” Shaner said.

“Instead of living in the country, I’m looking at trailers every day,” Shaner told the supervisors.

She complained that existing lights from the business already shine into her house and there is noise from trucks moving in and out as well.

As for the addition, she said a steady stream of dump trucks has been putting dirt onto the site and is being spread.

Supervisors Chairman Rich Gardner said the supervisors would have to table action on the Gazzo request anyway because it did not include a site plan.

Meanwhile, Solicitor Wes Long said the township code enforcement officer should be sent to the site to see whether work is being done. If that is the case, he said, the code officer should order Gazzo to stop the work.

The supervisors agreed.

Gazzo was present at the meeting Thursday but did not address the supervisors.

“All the lighting and all the landscaping has been approved by the township,” Gazzo said after the meeting, in response to Shaner’s claim.

When asked if work on the addition was being done without approval, Gazzo turned and walked away.

“He has a DEP permit, but he doesn’t have a grading permit,” township engineer Gordon Taylor said.

Long said Gazzo must have a grading permit to do the site preparation work.

“Our code enforcement officer has to go out and assess what he is doing,” Long said.