A public hearing into a controversial warehouse application in Newtown has been closed. Wharton Equity Partners LLC is applying for a Special Exception at 10 Hawleyville Road for a more than 344,000 square foot warehouse with truck docks, trailer, and vehicle parking.
Attorney Thomas Cody spoke about the potential conditions of approval which include reducing the number of dock doors from 76 to 55. Three conservation easement areas are proposed that amount to 54 acres of the project site. The third conservation area is particularly significant because it adjoins the closest residential area on Whippoorwill Hill Road.
The applicant again refuted claims that this would be a truck terminal, saying the application is for a warehouse distribution center, which has lower volume than a terminal or depot.
The Planning and Zoning Commission had to move their meetings to Edmond Town Hall to accommodate the large turnout of interested residents. Their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday (June 16th). It will be held in the Newtown Middle School auditorium. Since the hearing was closed earlier this month, residents will not get to weigh in on the application at the upcoming meeting.
The Newtown Inland Wetlands Commission approved its review on a 6-1 vote. The Planning and Zoning Commission will have 65 days to make its decision.
