West Mahanoy zoners approve Altamont NAPA proposal
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The future site of a NAPA Auto Parts store in the Altamont section of West Mahanoy Township on Oct. 1, 2020.
SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS – The West Mahanoy Township Zoning Hearing Board reconvened Thursday evening to approve the Altamont Fire Company’s plan to build an auto parts store across from their station.
The board met at 5:00pm at the West Mahanoy Township Municipal Building in Shenandoah Heights with only three members of the public in attendance, all fire company members.
The board heard testimony from the fire company, its engineer, the would-be lessee and operator of the NAPA store, and neighbors at the original hearing on Sept. 10.
The fire company plans to build a 4,800 square foot NAPA Auto Parts store on the site of their picnic grove across from their fire station on South Green Street.
Charles Lawson, board chair, raised concerns Thursday to Garry Peters, assistant fire chief, regarding drainage and a retaining wall on the property.
The fire company requested a variance, as the land is zoned high-density residential, as well as relief from Section 504.1 of the zoning ordinance, which would require 16 parking spaces.
Robert Matta, solicitor for the zoning board, said that the fire company would be required to install a vinyl fence “high enough to minimize any lighting and noise,” between the fire company and the Kurpell-owned property, according to findings of fact from the Sept. 10 hearing.
In addition, the fire company will need to submit land development plans to the township planning commission.
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