CNBNews

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (September 27, 2024)(CNBNEWS)--Sullivan’s Towing LLC, located at 425 Jersey Ave. & Fifth Street Lots – Block 85, 85.01 Lots 20, 33, & 24 presented a request for a D Variance (Use Variance) and Minor Site Plan to the Gloucester City Planning/Zoning Board during their meeting on August 21. The minutes from that meeting, which appear below, were released on September 19, 2024. The owner of Sullivan’s Towing is Jason Buttocovia. 

Waiver Request – Relocation of a city business within the city limits.

Jason Buttocovla, the applicant, provided testimony while Charles Wigginton, his attorney, questioned him for the application.

He is seeking a use variance to establish a towing company on three lots along Jersey Ave in the industrial area. The Route 130 location currently has 6 employees. His intention is to purchase the property within the city and relocate the current business, which is located on the border of Haddon Twp. and Gloucester City. He currently has a towing contract in the city and wants the entire business to be within the city limits.

The property is located next to the industrial area and is on the border of the residential area. There are two large fenced-in lots with asphalt paving and an open lot that could be used for the building. He plans to clean up the property and install a screen barrier and shrubs around the fence line to prevent visibility into the property. The property will be well-lit for safety and security. The garage will be a 65-foot by 40-foot building with bays and office space. The vehicles on the property will not be stored for more than 30 days. All repairs will be done inside the garage area bays. All employees will park on-site and not on any streets. The property is currently vacant and underutilized. All-access would be from the Jersey Avenue entrance.

Motion to open to the public. Tetreault/ Howarth.

Please take note of the following information:

Lisa Cook, who resides at 209 Hunter Street, had concerns about the security on the site to prevent break-ins for cars. Security cameras and lighting will be installed to deter unauthorized access to the site.

Joanne Hanger, located at 418 Hunter Street, had inquiries about the activities taking place on the site and how they may impact her property.

Lisa Cook emphasized the importance of having security on the site before allowing any vehicles, as it is part of the variance. They also intended to illuminate the yard for their own vehicle storage properly.

The following motions were made during the meeting:

1. Courant/Howarth proposed a motion to close the meeting to the public.

2. Howarth/Spotts proposed a motion to approve the D Variance with bifurcation site plan approval until October 16.

Gartland, Howarth, O’Donnell, Tetreault, Spotts, Courant, and Thompson voted in favor of the motions.

IN OTHER MATTERS: 

Joseph Zito, who lives at 608 Sherwood Ave. and owns Block 253 Lot 21, applied for a C Variance for bulk variance, which was approved by the board in 2015. However, the time frame for the building lapsed, so he is reapplying for the same variance.

Joe Zito, the owner, provided testimony on this C variance to add an extension to his garage for extra storage space. He works on motorcycles and currently needs more space. He now has the funds to rebuild a larger garage and wants to match his neighbor’s property with a new garage. The variances are needed for the side yard, rear yard, and over lot coverage permitted.

No one from the public spoke. Motion to close open. Howarth/Spotts. The board members voted yes - Gartland, Howarth, O’Donnell, Spotts, Courant, and Unitis.