A developer who aims to construct a 360,000-square-foot warehouse and a 451,00-square-foot warehouse on a portion of the Reedman Toll site in Middletown Township hit a setback last week.
The Middletown Township Board of Supervisors last Tuesday evening tabled a vote on the plan by 213 Industrial LLC, which is owned by Boston-based Novaya Foxfield Industrial, to construct the two facilities on two large pieces of land off East Old Lincoln Highway (Route 213) near I-295.
The tabling of the vote came after a motion was formulated to deny preliminary and final land development.
The advisory Middletown Township Planning Commission previously approved the plans for the southern warehouse, but not for the northern one.
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The plan is split into a northern and southern site that totals about 78 acres. Plans refer to the warehouse totaling 360,000 square feet as the northern site and the warehouse measuring 451,000 square feet as the southern site, according to Michael Malloy Jr., the attorney representing the developer.
Tenants for the buildings were not announced.
The former test track, security building, and parking lot near I-295 are located on the site that is designated for one of the proposed warehouses, according to the blueprints and county property records. The undeveloped land across the street will also be the site of a warehouse.
Paul Hughes, the engineer for the project, said the developer heard feedback from residents about concerns over noise from the northern site that sits closest to residences. To help make the plans better, the designers have reworked them and added a berm and 8-foot-tall sound wall.
“We’ve reorganized the site all due to residential comments,” Malloy said.
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Hughes said the plans call for the area closest to homes to be used for storing trailers.
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The present overpass that connects the two sections of the property will be removed, and both warehouse locations will have entrances on Old East Lincoln Highway at a new signalized intersection that is pending PennDOT approval, according to the proposal.
Improvements to the two sites’ stormwater management are also included in the plans for the warehouses. One of the sites is now paved and the other is almost totally covered in grass.
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Residents spoke Tuesday evening in concern to noise and the effectiveness of the sound wall and how warehouse workers who may walk from the Woodbourne Train Station might get there.
“How much is that wall going to do to stop hearing the noise from those trailers?” asked Ralph Bickel, a resident of nearby Second Street.
The engineer for the project said the berm and sound wall will help cut the noise level.
Assistant Township Manager Nick Valla spoke of pedestrian access. He said the municipality is looking at pedestrian improvements in that part of the township.
When asked about traffic, it was revealed the two warehouses will have combined parking spaces for several hundred vehicles, but without tenants, it is unclear how many will actually be needed.
Representatives for the developer said traffic studies for the site are not yet completed.
It was reported earlier this year that the land was purchased by Novaya Foxfield Industrial for $50 million.
On the location of the Reedman Toll test track, there was a plan to construct a shopping area with stores, dining options, and a bank about ten years ago. However, such plans were abandoned after the Middletown Township Zoning Hearing Board rejected them.
Supervisors Chairman Mike Ksiazek said the developer appeared willing to work with the residents, and a denial could lead to a future developer who isn’t willing to work with residents as much.
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Malloy, the attorney for the developer, urged the supervisors to table the proposal so the developer, township, and residents could work together to make adjustments to the plan.
Supervisor Dana Kane pointed to the fact that the developer could appeal a denial. A court could then reverse the denial and the current plan could be constructed.
Kane also said as she voted to table that she wanted to wait until there more information on traffic impacts.
Supervisor Dawn Quirple said the board wanted to make the best decision, especially not one that could lead to a worse outcome.
Supervisor Bernadette Hannah said she also has concerns about traffic and wanted to wait until there is more traffic data. She also wanted to make sure more residents are able to speak with the developer on the potential impacts.
Supervisors Vice Chairperson Anna Payne asked the developer if they would be willing to host an information session with residents in the future, and they agreed on it.
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