Residents oppose storage facility proposal in Winfield Township
WINFIELD TWP — A conditional use hearing to operate a small storage facility on a residential-zoned property drew a large-than-usual crowd of concerned residents to a township supervisors meeting Thursday night, Jan. 29.
Almost all residents who attended did so to express their opposition to the idea of allowing the business to intrude on the residential neighborhood for a variety of reasons, including environmental, aesthetic and security concerns.
“The applicant did not demonstrate compliance with the township zoning ordinance, particularly regarding environmental protection, nuisance mitigation and compatibility with nearby homes,” said Maxine Riemer, who lives behind the property.
Ultimately, according to township engineer Richard Craft of Olsen Craft Associates, supervisors voted to table the conditional use vote until February to compile all necessary data.
The property, located in the 700 block of Bear Creek Road, is currently owned by Cristina Corigliano, who was present on Thursday night. Development would be handled by Jamie Merryman and Corey Coll from Worthington, who are finalizing an agreement to purchase the property from Corigliano.
Plans presented before the supervisors call for the facility to consist of four separate, 100-by-20-foot buildings with a buffer installed around three sides and surrounded by a security fence. There would be no office on-site.
Craft could not give a specific number of storage units that would be present at the facility, but said the number would be dictated by “market conditions.”
One of the primary concerns among Winfield Township residents was the effect a storage facility would have on surrounding wetlands.
“The property has obvious wetland indicators, including standing water and wetland vegetation,” Riemer said. “Yet no wetland delineation study or environmental impact analysis has been provided.”
“I've been on Bear Creek Road for 29 years and the Winfield Township section of Bear Creek Road is a slice of heaven. It is a rural slice of America,” said Rich Moore. “In the future, if you guys let this go in, people are going to drive down Bear Creek Road and say, ‘Who in the heck allowed that to happen there?’”
During the meeting, Craft admitted that no wetlands impact study had yet been performed but stated one would be performed as part of the land development plan approval process.
Other residents were concerned about the impact of lighting from the proposed facility, which would be a 24/7 operation with night access.
“The glow is going to be the same as Lernerville (Speedway) on race night,” said Gary Riemer. “That’s the glow that our community is going to inherit from that property.”
Although security cameras were mentioned as part of the plans, John Ricchuito — former owner of the now-closed Winfield Winery — expressed concern when Craft mentioned a key would be required to gain access to the facility.
“What’s stopping people from bringing a carload of people in there because they’ve got a key to get in there?” Ricchuito asked. “They could decide to go in there and party half the night.”
At least one resident expressed concern that if the supervisors granted the developers the conditional use, it would open Winfield Township to further development that could potentially jeopardize its rural, agricultural setting.
“We all know that developers from Cranberry and Middlesex are literally drooling to get in here. They’re waiting for these farmers to pass on and buy that property,” said Hayle Fox. “Once you open that box, these developers are going to smell blood and they're going to come in here. Is that what you (the supervisors) want for this township?”
