City officials on Monday paved the way for the demolition of the vacant Lockley Manufacturing building for the construction of a four-story self-storage facility.
“This is an opportunity,” attorney Angelo Papa, who represents the developer, told the Zoning Hearing Board of Appeals during a Monday hearing. “This town has to survive and find new ways to use properties. This isn’t a tattoo parlor, but a $5 million building. This area will be beautiful.”
Zoning Hearing Board members Rich Gormley, Bess Ondako and Ronald Davis agreed to waive zoning requirements for the developers to proceed with the project at 306-310 Grove St. Board member Michael Gormley Jr. was absent.
Items were minor. For example, zoning in a General Business District where the 1.2-acre property is located requires that the front of the building be 15 feet back from the property line. The board approved the developer’s requested 5 feet. Zoning also prohibits buildings taller than 45 feet. The board granted the developer’s requested 48 feet.
According to the Lawrence County Register and Deeds Office, 310 Grove Street Opportunity Zone in Brooklyn, New York, purchased the property in January for $303,000 from MRJ Management. The latter is listed as a company in Pennsylvania.
A former tool and die repair shop founded in the 1920s, Lockley Manufacturing has been closed for several decades.
The self-storage developer, Asset Realty and Construction Group also of Brooklyn, plans to clean up the property.
Katherine Weiss with Dynamic Engineering in Philadelphia, who represents Asset Realty, said in addition to constructing the 119,000 square foot storage facility, the developer will include 12 parking spaces and 120 plantings, including 32 trees.
“With me on zoning, I just want to make sure it’s safe, looks good, doesn’t cause accidents and is maintained,” Gormley said.
Ondako asked about having a dumpster on site.
“These kinds of developments accumulate a lot of trash,” she said.
Weiss confirmed there will be a place for garbage.
The city planning commission and city council had previously approved the development.
