Machine Parts Company Gets OK to Move to Jessup Road

A long, legally-fraught process of relocating his business to West Deptford got one step closer to resolution for John Grace Tuesday night, when the township planning board approved the site plan for Gofer Parts’ new home on Jessup Road.

It was a more complex approval than most, with part of the discussion revolving around the issues Grace and his son face acquiring the property, which is currently in receivership, and the former owners settling back taxes.

As their attorney, Jeffrey Baron, explained, the site plan approval and sale are tied together–the go-ahead from the planning board would mean Gofer Parts could make the purchase, with the back taxes settled by the seller afterward.

“Right now, we’re not able to force that condition,” Baron said.

The property Grace would get is currently an abandoned warehouse on Jessup Road, which he and his son plan to turn into a distribution center for floor machine parts, Gofer Parts’ specialty.

The two ran into legal issues because of the receivership, however, which drew out the process, Grace said.

“This deal’s been very awkward for us,” he said, and credited West Deptford zoning officer Sandi Rost for helping them through the process, which he said nearly fell through several times.

After resolving the tax situation by attaching it as a condition of approval, the planning board also sorted through some issues of safety and site design, before granting approval without opposition.