ASTON KEEPS ON TRUCKIN’
BOARD OKs TRUCK FACILITY OVER RESIDENTS’ OBJECTIONS
ASTON » Much to the dissatisfaction of the majority of residents who showed up to oppose it, commissioners Wednesday night voted 5-1-1 to approve the conditionaluse request of Springbrooke LLC for the development of a 36.5 acre parcel located at Pennell Road and Springbrooke Boulevard,
Commissioner Fred Prendergast voted in opposition and newly seated Commissioner Les Berry abstained from the vote.
Springbrooke Industrial LLC wants to construct two large “flex space” buildings on the site. According to the developer Trammell-Crow Company, one structure would measure 273,600 square feet and the other
21,400 square feet. In addition, a 430-car parking lot,
96 tractor trailer spaces, and loading bays have been proposed.
Approximately a dozen residents spoke prior to the vote and asked commissioners to not approve the conditional-use request. They cited concerns about increased traffic, decreased air quality, environmental factors, loss of open space, noise, and quality of life issues.
“I am strongly opposed to this,’ said 33-year resident Linda Kane. “I am not only concerned about traffic, but also the air quality. It makes me sad that something like this might be coming to Aston.”
Following the vote, Commissioners Vice President Mike Higgins read a statement of specific demands made by the township to the developer, which included videotaping the current condition of Springbrooke Boulevard and posting escrow monies prior to construction to ensure infrastructure is kept in its current condition. The township also spelled out the following conditions: Any repairs must be made due to construction activity; re-striping of Pennell Road to provide for a longer right-turn lane onto Dutton
Mill Road and an extended left-turn lane onto Springbrooke Boulevard; existing left-turn lane must be extended; the developer will pay for the upgrade to existing poles and mast arms on Springbrooke Boulevard and Pennell Road; contribute $15,000, which is the township’s matching grant portion for the Pennell Road Streetscape project for the installation of planted medians, trees and crosswalks; $50,000 to the township to be used at its discretion to mitigate traffic; fence screening for all HVAC units; noise ordinance must not be exceeded; no emission of smoke in violation of law; preservation of as many trees as possible, among others.
Commissioners President Jim Stigale reassured residents that commissioners did their homework and due diligence on the issue. He said the board has the opportunity to set standards that must be complied with and the developers must now go through the land-development process.
“We heard you, took all of your concerns into consideration and did our best to accommodate the questions and situations presented,” Stigale said. “Everyone is calling this green space. This is private property; it is not owned by the township. We cannot step in when someone who owns privately owned land and wants to sell it.”
In reference to the rumor that Amazon is planning on using the buildings, Stigale said nothing has been proposed to the township.
In addition, representatives of Trammell-Crow stated after the meeting that there are not any proposed tenants as of yet.