01:15:33A focal point of the meeting was the discussion around the proposed warehouse complex. Numerous residents voiced objections, pointing to potential violations of local ordinances and the Transitional Economic Development Center (TECD) zone’s requirements. Several speakers argued that the project, involving two massive warehouse buildings totaling 500 million square feet, was unsuitable for the area and conflicted with the intent of zoning regulations aimed at minimizing impacts on nearby neighborhoods. Concerns about traffic safety were prominent, with residents highlighting the inadequacy of Homestead Road for the expected increase in truck traffic. The road’s narrow width and lack of shoulders were cited as significant safety hazards, particularly with school buses and young drivers using the route. Grant Culmer, a resident, estimated that the proposed development could result in 160 trucks per day, potentially reaching up to 300 trucks daily, raising alarms about congestion and safety risks.

17:18Environmental impacts were another issue raised during the meeting. The proposed project would increase impervious surface coverage, leading to concerns about stormwater management and flooding risks. Residents questioned the adequacy of soil testing and stormwater flow analysis, emphasizing past flooding incidents in the area. The potential clearing of a large number of trees and alteration of the topography also sparked environmental concerns, with some residents arguing that the project undermines the township’s stream corridor ordinance and the Freshwater Wetland Protection Act.

01:22:40The warehouse development’s impact on community well-being was a recurring theme. Residents expressed fears of declining property values, increased pollution, and disruption of the town’s peaceful character. The project was criticized for its speculative nature, with speakers questioning the lack of clarity regarding the intended use of the warehouses and the number of employees per shift. Keith Sherman, with extensive logistics experience, described the project’s assumptions about Homestead Road’s capacity for truck traffic as unrealistic and misleading.

01:31:53Further complicating the proposal are concerns over zoning compliance and the legitimacy of the application process. Residents argued that the operation of picking up and dropping off trailers without entering the warehouse constitutes a freight terminal, which is prohibited under Hillsborough ordinance. The application’s adherence to the TECD zone requirements was called into question, with critics asserting that it does not provide the necessary buffer between industrial and residential areas. The absence of a proposed access ramp to the bypass, intended to alleviate traffic, was also criticized, as it would redirect truck traffic into town.

31:56Public comments highlighted a unified stance against the development, with speakers calling on the board to protect residents’ rights and preserve the town’s integrity.

18:57In addition to the warehouse development debate, the meeting addressed other planning matters, including a status update from Campus Associates LLC on a separate development project. Concerns were raised about environmental compliance and transparency regarding a settlement agreement linked to the project. Residents questioned the transfer of the agreement to the new ownership and the project’s adherence to its conditions. The board clarified that the stormwater system was functioning, but further improvements were pending as the project progressed.