What's a 'pallet-able' industry in residential area under Glassboro zoning rules?

Joseph P. Smith, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read

GLASSBORO — A Warrick Avenue business churning out wood pallets to service a demand boom is under borough scrutiny over whether the zoning approval it has allows for storage outdoors.

The Glassboro Housing Authority, which operates apartments nearby, is preparing to argue against manufacturer Independent Freight receiving a use variance to maintain those practices. The company is appealing a zoning office variance denial from last November.

Privately owned Independent Freight continues to use outdoor storage pending a board review. The company, which leases the 3.62-acre complex, also has a trucking business in Camden County.

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The Zoning Board was set for a public hearing in April, rescheduled it for May, then recently rebooked for June 15.

At the April 20 hearing, company attorney Michael McKenna told members that owner Luke Cavanaugh hopes to shortly relocate the pallet recycling, fabrication, and distribution operation outside the borough.

A view from Grillo Street in Glassboro of the Independent Freight property. The company, which leases the property at 20 Warrick Avenue, is before the Zoning Board to appeal a notice to cease using its outdoors areas for storage. Wooden pallets are recycled, made, and distributed from the site. PHOTO: May 1, 2023.
A view from Grillo Street in Glassboro of the Independent Freight property. The company, which leases the property at 20 Warrick Avenue, is before the Zoning Board to appeal a notice to cease using its outdoors areas for storage. Wooden pallets are recycled, made, and distributed from the site. PHOTO: May 1, 2023.

“We’ve outgrown it,” McKenna said. “We went from 20 employees to 100 employees.”

Property records indicate 20 Warrick Avenue has been in industrial use at least since 1950. Technically, the area is zoned for residential use.

Houses are few and scattered along the avenue. There are Housing Authority apartment complexes on Grillo and Williams streets, which border the property.

A site plan detailing an industrial property at 20 Warrick Avenue in Glassboro. Independent Freight operates from the property and submitted the site plan to the Zoning Board as part of an ongoing appeal that seeks to permit it to continue using the outdoors area for storage. The bordering roads are Warrick Avenue (left), Grillo Street (bottom), and Williams Street (right). A May 18, 2023 public hearing is scheduled.

Authority attorney Mark Asselta said at the April board hearing he intends to enter an objection to a variance.

Independent Freight asked for a hearing postponement because board member Michelle Wyman unexpectedly recused herself. That left six voting members, potentially increasing the odds against a favorable decision.

Stores of wooden pallets line the rear of the Independent Freight property at 20 Warrick Avenue in Glassboro. The old factory is used to recycle, make, and distribute pallets. The site is in a residential zone, and neighbors have been complaining. The company is seeking a use variance while at the same time saying it plans to relocate. PHOTO: April 21, 2022.

Authority Executive Director Kimberly Gober did not return calls over the last week asking the reason for the opposition.

Independent Freight filed a “hardship” variance request in August 2022.

Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.

Have a tip? Reach out at jsmith@thedailyjournal.com. Help support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Pallet business at Glassboro company disputes neighbors, zoning code