Hubcap Store owner, Shawn Sefcik, who operates the business on Adamson Street with his father and sister, came to Monday’s Council Meeting to answer concerns about the business.
He came on my invitation and I asked he be put on the agenda for the meeting.
I informed him that Council would be taking a hard look at businesses this year, operating in the Industrial District of West Easton. For too long that area of town has been ignored and some businesses along Lehigh Drive seem to have the perception that the lack of enforcement of Zoning ordinances will continue.
I know Shawn through my real job, though he wasn’t aware that I was on the West Easton Council. I suggested he should meet with Council because we and the Fire Chief had very real concerns about safety and the overall property appearance of the Hubcap Store.
The Hubcap Store has had a problem for some time. When initially granted use by the Zoning Hearing Board, the business was supposed to be an automobile type of business, dealing with parts. Tires intended for recycling were to be stored in trailers and a letter received by the Board said that no more than 10 trailers would be on the property.
Over the years it has turned into more than that. Dozens of trailers occupy the grounds, everything from grills to stone blocks to bicycles are offered for sale. Tires stacked in the open outside the building are inviting to mosquitoes and vermin.
He needed to provide a plan to Council of how he would correct the situation. I also told him that he could expect a Council that wasn’t happy about the many issues that exist. If legal action could be avoided, it would be in the best interest of everyone.
To his credit he did appear and was forthright in disclosing that there are likely 1000 tires stacked behind the building, due to the recycler he uses (located in Glendon) repairing the grinding machine. He said these would be the first to go when his recycler is up and running. Currently the recycler is accepting no additional tires for delivery, he said, but he may have an alternate outside the Philadelphia area.
Council members and the Mayor expressed their concerns, should there be a fire, noting that the Department of Environmental Protection had become involved. Mayor Gross told Mr. Sefcik it’s another level of enforcement that carries more weight than the West Easton Council.
Mr. Sefcik explained that he is only part owner and while he has tried to maintain the property, another family member keeps bringing in additional items. He said he would again speak to this person about those items that are not part of the agreement with West Easton.
There is also a bicycle business being run at the location, despite the fact that the separate business was not approved. Mr. Sefcik was not aware that the family member operating the business had not been given approval and he would talk to that family member
He appeared sincere in that he would fully cooperate in correcting the situation and would present a plan to Council on how he would address the problems, as well as submitting other paperwork needed, due to the property being located in a flood plain. He promised to update the Council, as that progress was made.
Update: 5:30 PM Mr. Sefcik has submitted a letter to the Borough outlining a plan for tire removal commencing on April 15th. Tires will be transported out using 2 trailers each month, for their disposal at a licensed facility. He will be providing receipts to the Borough showing they were delivered to the facility.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
