Zoning Board Approves Renovation of Doctor's Office

Adjustments to Dr. Rami Geffner’s office on Mantua Pike were approved unanimously at Tuesday night's township zoning board meeting.

The medical dermatology facility and parking lot sit between 3rd and 4th streets on Mantua Pike, otherwise known as Route 45.

Geffner’s attorney, David A Wollman, and the building’s engineer, Charles J. Witczak, were there to represent Geffner and explain the situation to the board and a handful of West Deptford residents.

The new office will have a revised parking area with 28 total spaces, nine new light poles and 64 shrubs added to the landscape. There will also be a sidewalk built around the building and in front of the property that will connect to existing sidewalks on 4th street, and a series of street trees will be planted, including 19 evergreen trees.

Witczak and his associates also asked for a waiver for a larger 45-square-foot sign to be installed, and a waiver for a requirement on a stand-alone loading zone, citing that it would be detrimental to drainage and unnecessary, since deliveries at the building are generally small.

Zoning board chair Joseph Jarrett was concerned with the medical waste and refuse removal on the property, but was reassured by Witczak that it would be removed according to legal medical standards.

A West Deptford man whose property borders the facility was also concerned about the possible effects this change could have on the area. The board and Witczak explained that there would be no change in grading or roof runoff.

The only other matter before the board, a use variance application that had been postponed several times since November, was withdrawn by S.L.A.H. Properties, Inc. The withdrawn application concerned a use variance allowing professional offices to be built in a residential/commercial zone on Delaware Street.