When David Jaindl announced plans earlier this year to build 6 million square feet of warehouses and industrial facilities in Warren County, many local residents expressed concerns about the impact the development would have on the mainly rural area.
Now, the Lehigh Valley developer says he is willing to cut that number in half.
Jaindl appeared Tuesday night before the White Township Planning Board, seeking preliminary approval for an 800,000-square-foot, high-cube warehouse at Foul Rift and South Foul Rift roads.
The application is for the first of what may be several developments on the property, which is zoned for low-density industrial.
Jaindl, president of Jaindl Land Co. and Jaindl Farms, told the White Township planners that he is willing to scale back the overall project to a maximum 3 million square feet of development.
Many residents of White Township and surrounding communities said that reduction is not enough. The township has been inundated with correspondence from local citizens who object to the proposed development, according to board Secretary Alfia Schemm.
“I beg you to reconsider this,” a Belvidere woman told Jaindl. “You have a lot of people whose lives will be ruined by this.”
“Will I reconsider? I think we have,” Jaindl said, referring to his willingness to halve the size of development.
Jaindl Land Co. acquired 585 acres in February from Talen Energy Supply LLC for $11.2 million, according to deeds filed with Warren County.
The entire property borders Route 519 to the east; Foul Rift Road to the north; and the Delaware River along South Foul Rift Road to the west. About 10 acres of the property extends south into Harmony Township near Roxburg Station Road.
Jaindl said he can, by right, develop up to 6 million square feet on the property. But, after hearing objections and concerns from township officials and residents, he said, he would be willing to develop only the northwest portion of the property.
He would be willing to discuss preserving, for agricultural use, the 265 acres south of power lines that cross the property, Jaindl said. Also, he would be willing to dedicate seven acres of riverfront property to the township as open space or park land, he said.
After Jaindl gave an overview of the 800,000-square-foot project, audience member spent about an hour and a half questioning him. The question period often resulted in audience members making statements to Jaindl and the board.
The most repeated concern dealt with truck traffic traveling on Route 519 either north to Interstate 80 or south to Interstate 78, each of which is more than 10 miles from the proposed warehouse.
Tractor-trailers traveling on a rural road, particularly past nearby Harmony Township School and local retirement communities, would be problematic, according to many who spoke.
Not all who spoke objected to the development. Harmony resident Joe Colucci, who belongs to the Ironworkers Local 11 union, said he supports the proposed project due to the jobs it could bring.
“I hear a lot of negativity but I am concerned with the magnitude of jobs,” Colucci said.
Jaindl said an 800,000-square-foot facility could provide up to 200 temporary construction jobs and 150 to 200 permanent jobs at the warehouse.
Planning board member Robert Mackey asked if Jaindl would be willing to consider conditions the board might impose on the project that might go beyond the township code. Jaindl said he would be willing to consider what the board asks.
The hearing is scheduled to continue at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the White Township Elementary School, 565 Route 519.
Jaindl’s lawyer Anthony Sposaro said he will call more witnesses, like engineers and traffic experts, to address people’s concerns.
The board voted unanimously to retain its own traffic consultant specifically for this proposal. The consultant would be paid from the developer’s escrow account established for the project.
John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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