For Immediate Release
Contact: Taylor McFarland, NJ Sierra Club, 732-865-1405
The Warehouse retail bill, S3688 (Sweeney)/(Singleton) did not get enough votes to be released from the Senate Community and Urban Affairs committee today. The bill requires proposed retail warehouse developers to complete a regional economic impact report that considers how neighboring municipalities would be affected by the development.
The retail warehouse bill is a good start to address warehouse sprawl issues happening in this state. Due to the boost in ecommerce and increased cargo handling at our ports, warehouse development has been surging. Unfortunately, in the garden state we are already seeing a slew of warehouses being proposed in environmentally sensitive areas, farmland, and near residential neighborhoods across the state. On top of that, the operation of truck traffic can result in congestion, roadway damages, and noise and air pollution,” said Taylor McFarland, Chapter Coordinator, Sierra Club- NJ Chapter. “While this legislation is a first step, we believe it must be strengthened. Neighboring towns and its joint intermunicipal boards should have the power to deny these warehouse projects.”
The bill provides that whenever an application is filed to build a retail warehouse, a municipality would be required to notify and provide a report to adjoining municipalities. The bill then would permit these municipalities to adopt a ‘resolution of intermunicipal concern’, which would then be considered by a joint board with members representing the interests of each municipality.
"The bill has real potential for implementing a key purpose of the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL). This long-held purpose requires ensuring 'that the development of individual municipalities does not conflict with the development and general welfare of neighboring municipalities, the county and the State as a whole,” said Kip Cherry, PP, AICP, Conservation Chair for Sierra New Jersey's Central Group. “However, the general welfare equally includes the environment as much as the economy. On this basis the Sierra Club has major concerns with the key provisions of the bill, including its mechanics.”
The NJ Sierra Club believes that construction of the facility and operation of the warehouse should comply with the highest standards to incorporate clean energy technology and to reduce emissions. This includes integration of Solar generation systems on roof and parking lots, efficient use of exterior/interior lighting, electric or thermal exchange heating systems, and EV charging for cargo delivery truck, forklifts, and local delivery trucks. For vehicles that require continuous power, electric power should be made available in lieu of engine idling.
"The emphasis expressed throughout the hearing of a need for regional planning of land use, particularly from Senator Singleton was very much needed and encouraging. We look forward to working with the legislature to explore regional planning opportunities,” said Allen Swanson, Conservation Chair Loantaka Group.
The NJ Sierra Club, Environment NJ, Clean Water Action and other groups supported the bill. The League of Municipalities neither supported or opposed the bill. The NJ Chamber of Commerce, NJ Business Association, and the Shipment Association opposed the bill.
“Now there are economic benefits and jobs that can come from warehouse projects, however we need to make sure sites for these projects are appropriate. Site location and conditions need to consider impacts to neighborhoods, nearby communities, environmentally sensitive land, scenic vistas, and flood zones. We encourage regional and community planning that avoids warehouse development near farms and residential communities, and instead supports the use of brownfield sites or sites for redevelopment,” said Taylor McFarland, Chapter Coordinator, Sierra Club- New Jersey Chapter. We thank Senator Singleton and Senator Sweeney for their leadership on this issue. The bill is a good start, however it needs a lot of work.”