Zoning board to hear application for storage tank
WAYNESBURG – A local wholesale distributor of gasoline and other fuels proposed installing a 30,000 gallon propane storage tank on vacant property at the corner of Washington and First streets in Waynesburg’s southside.
Stuck Enterprises Inc., based in Waynesburg, filed an application with the Waynesburg Zoning Hearing Board for a special exception to install the tank on property that was the site of the former Grove C. Hughes Hardware Store.
The zoning board will hold a hearing on the application at 7 p.m. Monday in the borough office building.
The area is zoned M-1 Manufacturing. A special exception is needed because it involves wholesale distribution and warehousing of quantities of hazardous or toxic substances, other than those that would normally be used on-site, said Bryan Cumberledge, borough code enforcement officer.
Stuck Enterprises also will have to seek approval from the state Department of Labor and Industry and receive a building permit from K-2 Engineering, which administers the borough’s unified construction code because of planned electrical improvements at the installation, Cumberledge said.
The property is on First Street, between Washington Street, the ramp for Morgan Street, built as part of the Morgan Street bridge project. A map included with the application shows the tank at the eastern side of the lot near the Morgan Street ramp.
The property adjoins an R-2 residential zone to the north and several homes are in the area accessible from Locust Alley. Stuck Enterprises own the property south of the site.
Though the legal advertisement for the hearing indicated the installation of two, 30,000 gallon propane tanks, the company is only seeking approval for one tank, said Steve Stuck, company president. Plans were developed for two tanks in case in the future the company wants to place another tank there, he said.
Stuck said the company will give a presentation at the meeting that includes much information on the safety of the operation. The plan will have to be approved by the state Department of Labor and Industry, he said.
“We operate and do everything correctly,” Stuck said. “We take great pride in what we do.”
The company now has a bulk terminal with several large fuel tanks at the intersection of Washington and First streets, catercorner from the Grover Hughes lot. The bulk terminal existed since about 1955 and has been owned by Stuck Enterprises since 1976.
The company has never had any problems at the terminal, Stuck said. “We’ve never had an issue with anybody there.”
Stuck said he views the project in a positive light in that it will allow the company to add to its product line and serve customers from its Waynesburg base. The company also has a propane distribution operation in Oakland, Md.
The installation also will lead to the creation of five to 10 new jobs, he said.
Stuck said the family-owned company was always a “good steward” of the community and is sensitive to people’s concerns.
He said he’s heard no issues raised regarding the tank but anyone with questions can call the company.