How visible would Jaindl’s warehouse be from Route 519, and will night sky views suffer?

Experts testified Tuesday regarding a controversial warehouse development proposed in Warren County.

The White Township Planning Board continued a hearing for Jaindl Land Co.’s 800,000-square-foot high cube warehouse proposed at the corner of Foul Rift and South Foul Rift roads.

A contingent of residents from the township and surrounding communities have expressed opposition to the project and have attended, in large numbers, several planning board meetings regarding the proposal.

Planning board Chairman Timothy Matthews told the developer’s architects he was concerned about the visual impact the development would have from Route 519, which is the closest major road to the property.

Jaindl’s landscape architect, Patrick Stewart, said a hedgerow about 2,200 feet from Route 519 will remain in place to help block views of the warehouse.

“There are mature hedgerows that will remain, which will help to buffer the perimeter of the property as well,” Stewart said.

Scott Murdoch, the project architect, said the building would be 60 feet tall. Due to a drop in the land’s elevation, the building will rise about 54 feet above the ground elevation of Route 519.

Trees in among the hedgerow rise about 65 feet, he said.

“We believe from the street elevation at this point, it’s not going to be seen much at all,” Murdoch.

Matthews said countered that while the building might be screened off for a person standing on Route 519, residents who live on the mountain to the east of the road would have a downward view of the property.

Matthews asked the architect to provide a rendering of the view from an elevated position on the mountain.

Also, the hedgerow’s buffer would be significantly reduced in winter when leaves have fallen, Matthews said.

Matthews asked if the developer would consider planting evergreen trees in the hedgerow to better block the view.

Stewart said that the developer would consider the request.

Current plans call for 200 trees and 31 shrubs to be planted on the property. Nineteen trees would be planted along Foul Rift Road. The trees would be spaced 50 feet apart to satisfy township ordinances, Stewart said.

Stewart said the facility will use LED lights mounted on 25-foot poles in the parking lot. The “dark sky” lights are designed to direct light downward to reduce light pollution emanating from the property, he said.

The planning board is scheduled continue the hearing at its March 10 meeting at 7 p.m.

John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.