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PennWaste has been contacted about this issue.

Thank you. It's not just a PennWaste issue. This dumpster is sitting on the open road, directly across from the front door of a residential home. Codes § 27-2109 - 4 indicate that all dumpsters must have screening:

4. Dumpsters. All trash dumpsters shall be located within a side or rear yard, screened from adjoining roads and properties in accordance with § 27-2106(5), and completely enclosed within a masonry or fenced enclosure equipped with a self-latching door or gate.

Going off of street view and aerial imagery, it appears that the dumpster structure has been placed in the same general area, without screening or an enclosure for 20 years. Due to this, the placement/location of the dumpster structure would be legally nonconforming and would not need to be screened or enclosed in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance.

What about all the trash that is always piled up next to it and overflowing out of it? Can you require them to get a larger one and one that closes on top so garbage and recycling isn’t blowing all over the neighborhood? There has to be something that can be done. We shouldn’t have to look at this mess constantly just because it’s always been there.

PennWaste has been alerted regarding this. They are looking into ways to remedy this, as apparently a scheduled service was not completed.

Thank you.

As you can now see, the garbage and recycling are now in the yard and sidewalk area. It looks like this constantly. Please do whatever you possibly can to remedy this. This is a nice neighborhood and people shouldn't have to look at this.

It is just a giant open dumpster in the middle of a residential neighborhood. I just don't understand how it doesn't at least have to be closed to keep animals out or things blowing everywhere.

When date was Code § 27-2109 - 4 enacted? It's difficult to imagine that in 2003 it was permissible to have an open, unscreened dumpster. (not exactly the stone age!)

This property has changed hands since then. Does a change in ownership not trigger the requirement for compliance with current ordinances?

Good afternoon,

I agree that this is unsightly and an issue. After discussing with PennWaste, it seems illegal dumping has been occurring at this dumpster. PennWaste is working with the property owner to remedy this issue. A possible solution would be placing a locking mechanism on the dumpster to prevent trash from blowing and to prevent the container from overflowing. We are working to fix this.

As for the placement and location, a change in ownership does not impact the status of a nonconformity, which this dumpster structure appears to be.

Thank you,

Thank you!

Are you able to provide the date that Code § 27-2109 - 4 was enacted? Were there no ordinances were in place re: screening of dumpsters prior to that?

Could PennWaste provide the date the dumpster was placed there, also? I can only see google images back to 2008 and it was there, then.

Screening would also discourage illegal dumping without inconveniencing the tenants.

Sorry to be a pest, but this thing is just unsightly.

Please confirm with your solicitor that this situation is in fact a legal nonconformist use. Certainly, PennWaste knows how long it has been there. I feel you should be the one coming up with these possible solutions instead of just assuming from looking at some old images of the property. This is a giant area of open garbage in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Certainly there must be health or other violations that prohibit this as well. The neighborhood really needs you to be more proactive with your solutions in fixing this situation. It can’t be illegal dumping every week. The dumpster is overflowing as are at least 5 garbage cans next to it. The dumpster is obviously too small for the trash being generated by those apartments. How is this trash not at least picked up every week?!!

I have confirmed with my Solicitor that the use is nonconforming. The previous Zoning Ordinance was in effect from 1986, until the current Ordinance was adopted on 9/24/2003. The previous Zoning Ordinance was did not address the screening or enclosing of dumpsters. The regulations requiring the screening and enclosing of dumpsters were not in effect until 2003.

PennWaste is doing an extra pickup tomorrow, 4/11 and the can is going to be swapped with a locking can on Wednesday, 4/12. We will be watching this dumpster to make sure there is not an accumulation of rubbish surrounding it/no health violations are occurring. All trash must be kept within the dumpster. Thank you for your concerns.

Respectfully,

That would mean that you have been able to confirm that the dumpster has been there for more than 20 years. Please show me where that has been confirmed by the Twp. You said it appears the dumpster has been in the same general area for 20 years. 20 years is 2003, when the new ordinance came into being. How did you confirm it predates the Sept 2003 ordinance?

I live a block from this dumpster and walk by it often. It’s definitely a major eyesore. I have noticed that it will go for multiple weeks without a pickup. That was part of the problem with the recent mess. A weekly pickup when our neighborhood garbage is collected would help. I can’t say whether or not there has been illegal dumping.