Diesel Could Turn Local Garage into 'Truck Stop,' Officials Say

Renovations to turn the former Washington Township Getty into a BP are underway, but a change in the plans to add diesel fuel has local officials worried the neighborhood gas station could turn into a "truck stop."

The Washington Township Planning Board previously approved BP's application to reopen the former Getty, a project which company reps had testified would mostly consist of rebranding and fixing up the property.

After they received approval, BP submitted a different set of plans to the township building department. Those plans included diesel fuel, according to planning board Chair Gus Calamari. Adding diesel fuel would be an expansion of a nonconforming use because the gas station, on the corner of Washington and Cleveland Avenues, is in a residential zone, he said. 

Board members said they were concerned the changes could attract large trucks and tractor trailers to the gas station.

"It makes it a truck stop," board Vice Chair Bernard Golick said.

The board agreed to send the matter to the township's zoning official. If he decides the addition of diesel would count as an expansion of the nonconforming use, BP may need to bring their plan to the zoning board.

Even if it's not an expansion, BP may need to return to the planning board because of other changes from the approved application — unless they just go by the original plan, Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said.