Sparta Residents Win Fight Against Proposed Tire Facility

The Sparta Zoning Board has unanimously rejected Elite Truck and Tire LLC's application to establish a tire transfer station at 409 Woodport Road.

 

The proposed facility required a "D" use variance and bulk variances for tire storage and recycling operations—activities not permitted in the Employment District (ED) zone.

 

This decision follows months of hearings, legal deliberations, and significant community opposition.

 

Attorney Richard Schkolnick, representing Elite Truck and Tire, presented 20 proposed conditions aimed at addressing board concerns, including traffic safety, environmental impact, and operational limits.

 

Despite these efforts, board members and residents voiced strong opposition, citing risks to road safety, neighborhood character, and zoning integrity.

 

Residents expressed skepticism about the project's benefits to the community, questioning the need for such a facility in Sparta.

 

Many voiced fears about the environmental implications, including potential contamination of local waterways from tire dust and other pollutants.

 

The applicant attempted to address these concerns by detailing plans to contain operations within the site and confirming that no tires would be stored outside.

 

Despite these assurances, the community's apprehensions about safety and environmental impacts persisted, with one resident describing the traffic situation as a "hot mess."

 

The denial means no tire transfer station will be built at the site, preserving the current zoning restrictions and addressing widespread community concerns.

 

For zoning updates, visit Sparta Township's Planning Department or call (973) 729-8093.

 

This outcome reflects the power of civic engagement and the importance of zoning compliance in protecting local infrastructure and quality of life.