Plans Delayed for Changes at Chapman

Representatives of came before the Horsham Township Council Monday night to present plans for changes at the Easton Road dealership, but the proposal could be delayed in light of complaints from neighbors.

Chapman owner Richard Harrison detailed the business’ proposal to move a portion of its auto body repairwork to the section of a rear building that is now being used as warehouse space.

Harrison said that, with the shuttering of several area auto centers, Chapman has seen an influx of trucks in need of repairs and could use the added space the warehouse venue could offer. If the move were allowed, it would cut down on the cue of vehicles parked outside of the current repair center, awaiting their turns at the truck bays, he said.

The Council questioned Harrison on how the move could affect noise in the area, a discussion Police Chief Bob Ruxton contributed to on behalf of local residents.

“The noise level hasn’t changed — it’s still there,” Ruxton said. “C&C have been good neighbors, but nothing has worked.”

Harrison said the business has spent nearly $13,000 trying to insulate the noise — largely caused by air guns used for repairs — but acknowledged that some element of noise will be present.

The business is in operation from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week, with limited hours and manpower on Saturday and no service on Sunday.

The current repair area has walls that are opened during the warmer months, which Harrison acknowledged contributes to higher noise levels, but which is necessary since the building is not air-conditioned. The operations that would be moved to the warehouse area would be conducted behind closed doors, as that building has higher ceilings and better ventilation, he said.

 “I don’t think you’re going to have any more noise than you have now, and I think you could have less noise than you have now,” Harrison said.

The zoning application Chapman is pursuing has not yet been circulated among neighbors, solicitor Mary Eberle noted, and Ruxton predicted more neighbors would also have concerns about possible noise increases or the ongoing noise level from the site.

Harrison said the company was happy to work with neighbors to plant another line of trees near the road to potentially contend with noise and agreed to work with engineers to examine the possibility of installing a fence or another noise barrier.

 “It may turn out that there’s nothing that can be done and from there we’ll make a decision but it may be better to look at this now,” said Council Vice President W. William Whiteside.

Chapman was scheduled to come before the zoning hearing board on Oct. 11 but the council will not be meeting again beforehand to give its approval, since it cancelled its Oct. 3 meeting.

In light of that, the governing body agreed to submit a neutral letter to the zoning hearing board should Chapman receive the “thumbs up” from a majority of neighbors after discussing possible noise-reduction techniques.

Should that not be achieved by the Oct. 11 hearing date, however, Chapman can either delay the zoning hearing until an agreement is reached or accept a letter of opposition from the council.