Springfield supervisors have unanimously approved an amendment to the township zoning ordinance, permitting warehouses 25,000 square feet or larger in planned industrial districts.
So-called fulfillment and distribution centers would face restrictions on height, lot size, access routes, setbacks, retail sals and would require a traffic impact study.
During public comment, resident Deb Pfeiffer inquired whether such buildings would have a maximum size. Township Solicitor Scott MacNair replied that would be up to supervisors. “You’re going to have limits related to the size of the property, setbacks and other things that would prohibit too much building coverage,” he said.
Regular contributor Pete Jones pressed harder, urging the board to enforce a reasonable upper limit of 250,000 to 500,000 square feet to prevent an Amazon-like structure.
“Do we want a million-square foot warehouse in our township in a zoned industrial area?” he asked.
MacNair offered that current restrictions in the ordinance would mitigate against such gargantuan structures.
Both MacNair and Supervisor Jim Nilsen rejected a proposal from the Environmental Advisory Council requiring solar panels on the buildings. MacNair said such a stipulation would deter potential candidates. Nilsen said it didn’t make sense to mandate it as many warehouses don’t consume a lot of power.
The board also endorsed an alternative energy ordinance, permitting accessory wind-powered and solar facilities and the use of heat pumps, subject to compliance standards. Pumps move heat around buildings instead of creating it; experts claim they are more efficient and less energy-intensive than traditional heating systems.
Supervisors also voted to discontinue iWorQ, an online database utilized for three years that allowed the township to track work orders and permits. “The cost of it is $5,000 a year for something that could be done with an Excel spreadsheet. That money could have been well spent somewhere else,” noted Supervisor Pete Kade. His colleagues agreed, complaining work order requests were sparse.
The board also filled three planning commission positions, one of which will be occupied by former Supervisor Chairman Dave Long. His term expires next year.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
