Oct 6, 2014 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Waynesburg Zoning Hearing Board denied a special exception Monday that would allow Stuck Enterprises Inc. to install a 30,000 gallon propane storage tank at the corner of Washington and First streets in Waynesburg’s South Side.

The company, a Waynesburg-based wholesale distributor of gasoline and other fuels, proposed installing the tank on First Street, between Washington Street and the ramp for Morgan Street, on the site of the former Grover C. Hughes Hardware Store.

The area is zoned M-1 Manufacturing. A special exception was needed because the proposed used involves wholesale distribution and warehousing of quantities of hazardous or toxic substances.

Steve Stuck, company president, gave a detailed presentation on the plan, noting among other things, the company now has a similar facility in a similar neighborhood in Oakland, Md., and has had no problems with it.

The company also operates a bulk terminal with several large liquid fuel tanks at the intersection of Washington and First streets, catercorner from the Grover Hughes lot. That terminal has existed for more than 50 and never created a problem, he said.

Stuck said safety would be the highest priority and his family-owned business, which has always been tied closely to the community, would make sure the project was done correctly.

Matt Hiltz of Hiltz Propane Systems, which would install the tank and equipment for Stuck, also spoke of the safety features on the tank, which will be made of one-inch thick steel and equipped with automatic shut-down capabilities.

Hiltz said the installation was designed to meet the strict codes and regulations required by the state Department of Labor and Industry, which must certify the operations.

The site is about a block and a half from Margaret Bell Miller Middle School. Stuck noted he met with district officials earlier in the day to explain the project and they had no problem with the plans.

Several people had questions about the project; however, when asked if anyone in the audience wished to make a statement, no one responded.

After meeting about 15 minutes in executive session, the board reconvened. A motion to deny the exception failed to receive a second.

A motion then introduced to approve the storage tank failed in a 2-2 vote. Board members Adam Chapman and Eric Rush voted against it; and board members Jeanne Songer and Susan Pool voted for it.

Chapman said he was concerned about the tank being that close to the school and to residences on the South Side. Though the installation would have safety features and the chances of anything happening were slim, “all it takes is one time” for something to happen, he said. “It’s too much of a risk,” he said.

Stuck told the board he was disappointed in the decision.

The company can appeal the decision to Greene County Court.