Complaining of chronic dirt clouds and fumes outside their homes, neighbors asked the operators of a Torresdale Avenue landscaping materials yard for some relief last Thursday during the monthly meeting of the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association. But on Friday, it appeared to be business as usual at Britton Industries Inc., as a backhoe and trucks of all shapes and sizes continued to kick up dusty debris.
The recent problems with the site began last spring, but the history of conflicting interests dates back about 15 years to a 1999 zoning case that may or may not remain applicable.
Back then, a company called PFR Partners bought the long-vacant 13-acre property at 8837/8901 Torresdale Ave. Another business, Academy Recycling, soon applied to operate a construction materials recycling and supply yard there. Then-Councilwoman Joan Krajewski brokered an agreement between neighbors and Academy by which the business obtained zoning under certain conditions or provisos. Academy agreed to install an eight-foot screened fence around the perimeter, along with greenery that would buffer airborne debris and noise from nearby homes, while beautifying that stretch of the avenue.
PFR remains the land owner, according to city records, but early this year Britton, based in Lawrenceville, N.J., moved onto the site to open a similar business. Britton got a permit to operate in March and soon after cleared the greenery along the perimeter while removing remnants of the screen.
At last week’s civic association meeting, two company officials — one identifying himself as the operations manager and the other as the sales manager — said that they cleared the perimeter because it had become overgrown with weeds and because they hoped to improve sales by showing their products, particularly large piles of colored mulch, to passers-by. Neighbors again asked about the dust and fumes. The Britton officials remained non-committal on any remedies and said that they were looking to strike a balance between neighbors’ needs and their own.
When asked if they had bought or leased the site, the Britton officials replied ambiguously. One said they would have to “look into it.” When asked if they had researched the 1999 zoning before making changes to the property, the company officials said they were unaware of the case.
An official from the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspection told the Northeast Times that no information about a 1999 zoning case appeared in a preliminary search of the department’s electronic records for the property. However, additional information may be found in a deeper search of the department’s files.
Meanwhile, Britton has filed three new L&I applications this year. In March, the department issued a permit for the outside storage and “processing” of mulch, compost and concrete. On Nov. 25, the department issued a permit for the construction of a trailer and weigh-station, as well as a permit for the erection of two 15-foot signs on the property. No public meeting or zoning hearing was required for any of the permits.
It remains unclear if the 1999 provisos remain in effect for the property. At the time, it was zoned “G-2” for general industrial. In the 2012 zoning code, the designation was changed to “I-2” for medium industrial.
Reached after the meeting, City Councilman Bobby Henon — Krajewski’s successor in the 6th district — said that he would contact Britton and the property owners for answers.
“I’m committed to meeting with the owner and management of the property to address any issues the neighbors may have,” Henon told the Times.
• In an unrelated property issue, UHCA zoning chairman Paul DeFinis reported that Philadelphia Federal Credit Union has applied for permits to build a branch with drive-up service on the Northeast corner of Frankford Avenue and Academy Road on property now occupied by James D. Morrissey Inc. A community meeting on the proposal has not been scheduled. ••
