Churchill begins redevelopment public hearing
The Churchill Borough Council began a public hearing Monday evening to commence testimony on the approval of a conditional use application for the redevelopment of the former Westinghouse Research and Technology Park.
The borough’s planning commission approved the redevelopment early Thursday morning after a lengthy meeting, and the application has moved to the council for its approval.
There is no timeline yet for when the council will vote on this application.
Hillwood Development Co. has not formally named a tenant for the space; however, many believe it to be Amazon, and Amazon representatives spoke during Monday’s public hearing.
During the meeting, Hillwood’s representatives presented witnesses to attempt to show it meets the criteria outlined under the borough’s zoning codes.
During his testimony, Brad Griggs, a senior manager from Amazon’s economic engagement team, outlined the facility would be used as a “robotics sortable fulfillment center” that would employ between 1,000 and 1,500 people.
Some residents asked to be designated as third-party objectors, which gave them the ability to cross-examine any witnesses present.
One group of about 18 residents is being represented by legal counsel. About 145 people attended the virtual meeting, which was also livestreamed on the borough’s Facebook page.
Since the proposal of the redevelopment, Churchill residents have been raising concerns, such as increased traffic and possible increased pollution from diesel emissions.
Prior to the meeting, the Churchill Future organization — made up of Churchill residents —
protested outside the borough building.
“The more I read about the dangerous impact of diesel emissions, the more frightened I become that this development, if built, will destroy Churchill and the health of its residents and children attending the three schools bordering the site,” Sandra Fox, a Churchill Future organizer said in a news release. “We cannot, we must not, allow this to happen.”
The majority of the testimony Monday night came from Chris Prisk, a civil engineer with Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, the organization contracted to perform a study on the traffic impact.
As the current traffic proposal stands, various streets around the facility will be widened, according to Mr. Prisk. The plans also include redoing the I-376 Greensburg Pike exit.
Previously a number of residents spoke out about their fear of an increase of semi-trucks on the local roads, causing them to deteriorate more quickly.
The study estimates a little over 600 trucks entering and exiting the facility in a 24-hour period, according to Mr. Prisk.
Mr. Briggs also confirmed during the meeting that semi-trucks would be entering and exiting this facility, not other Amazon delivery vans.
Ultimately, Mr. Prisk said, based on the study, the traffic will not “have a negative material impact on the neighborhood.”
Other issues previously raised include the possible destruction of a green space, which was not addressed at Monday’s hearing.
At the beginning of the meeting, borough solicitor Gavin Robb noted that the hearing would take multiple days, although it was not announced when the hearing will resume.