New PA Self Storage Facility Compromises with Neighbors over Trees

After having its opening delayed all through this spring and summer, Chester Heights Self Storage, of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, has finally opened for business. But local residents still had a concern to raise -- the location of the trees that the facility was planting to serve as a buffer shield between the storage facility and their homes. Now the facility owner, Dominic Cappelli, and his neighbors have reached an agreement. Homeowners will mark the exact spots where they want the new trees to be planted.

The new agreement was reached between Cappelli, the Chester Heights Borough Council, and members of the local homeowners’ association on Monday night at the borough council meeting. Part of the problem was that there was a deep hollow between the homes and the storage facility. Trees planted in the hollow, homeowners felt, would not offer enough of a barrier between their homes and the commercial business. So Cappelli agreed that his builder would regrade a berm along the hollow, right along the boundary with homeowners’ yards. Once the new berm is in place, homeowners will walk out and mark the spots where they would like to see trees planted.

In all, four Leyland pines and four white pines will be planted. The types of trees were chosen because they grow fast and are resistant to deer.

At the meeting, Cappelli noted that it was important for the trees to be planted soon, as the end of the growing season is approaching. The trees should really be planted by the end of September, he said.

The tree planting is just the last of several hurdles that Chester Heights Self Storage has overcome in its road to opening for business. The facility was supposed to have opened a year ago, but at first bad weather and construction problems caused delays, including a leak in a water line. Then the community required the facility to build an emergency access road and required that the cyclone fence be ornamental as well as functional.

Sources used:

Stark, Kenn. “Chester Heights business openings delayed.” Delaware County News Network. May 5, 2010.

Stark, Kenn. “Chester Heights storage facility, neighbors reach accord.” Delaware County News Network. Sept. 21, 2010.

Stark, Kenn. “New Chester Heights storage facility to open this spring.” Delaware County News Network.  April 14, 2010.