Planners to Hear Variance Testimony for AAA Tire Storage Wednesday

After two appearances before Toms River planners, representatives for the AAA service center on Route 37 will seek variances for a proposed tire storage area during a Wednesday board meeting.

The storage area proposed at the 1199 Route 37 East AAA first came before the Toms River Planning Board's scrutiny in January. At the time, members requested that health and aesthetic concerns be addressed by the applicant before they made a decision on the plan. 

At a second appearance in February, planners expressed concerns that the steel container proposed to house tires is considered a temporary structure — allowing it to be used as a permanent storage area could set a precedent for future applications.

Applicant attorney Michael York said that his client could construct a 6-foot high board-on-board fence around the tire storage area, blocking it from view. The board appeared agreeable to that plan, but such a fence requires a variance since commercial properties are zoned for chain-link fences, said Assistant Township Planner Erika Stahl.

Testimony is expected to be heard at 6 p.m. Wednesday in town hall — other items on the Planning Board's meeting agenda are available here.