WILKES-BARRE — A construction and demolition solid waste transfer station is coming to Yatesville Borough after the project was approved Tuesday at Luzerne County’s zoning hearing board meeting.
John Terrana, of 151 Second Street LLC, was granted a special exception to operate a construction and demolition solid waste transfer station, including wood, metal, and construction debris, and construct a 12,000-square-foot structure on a 9.63-acre parcel of land behind 151 Brown St. in a heavy industrial district.
According to Robert Stella, a member of the LLC, all unloading of the waste, as well as its consolidation and separation, will take place inside the facility.
Hours of operation will likely be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., six days a week.
151 Second Street LLC is under contract with Pagnotti Enterprises to purchase the land.
Stella explained how the waste transfer station will operate: garbage trucks will enter the building and be weighed on a scale. Waste will then be dumped into the facility and separated.
Trucks will be charged by the ton.
Materials accepted will include wood, plastic, and other materials typical in home demolition and construction. Any materials brought in must be removed by the end of the business day, and nothing can be left in the station overnight.
Stella also said there will be sensors that scan for any material containing asbestos, and a hazmat team to dispose of it.
Before it can begin operating, the facility will need permits from DEP and EPA, and will have to go through land development, during which the subdivision and land consolidation will be approved.
Businesses that surround the property are of similar uses, like a concrete plant, a chemical plant, and a truck terminal.
Stella said Yatesville Borough is aware of and in support of the project, and that he promised to give one dollar to the borough for every ton brought in, and an additional 25 cents per ton to be put into a fund for road maintenance of Brown Street.
Additionally, emergency services in Jenkins Township were also made aware of the project.
Both John Terrana and Rob Stella were involved in an application for a solid waste transfer station in Avoca, which was previously denied by the zoning board.
A Luzerne County Judge upheld that decision in October 2025.
Other applications
Also of note, the zoning board on Tuesday approved the construction of a 16-unit apartment building in Dupont.
Joseph Friedman, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was granted a use variance to convert an existing mixed-use structure at 222 Lincoln St. into an apartment building, located in a two-family residence district.
Finally, the board denied a variance for the construction of an open-air deck/entryway on an existing residential structure at 14 Line St., Newport Township, and to add a third residential unit.
After a brief executive session, the board concluded that the project dimensions submitted by applicant Luis Ynoa were incorrect.
If the applicant wants to resubmit their project, they will have to submit it directly to Newport Township, which has recently decided to oversee its own zoning.