FLORENCE: Planners OK revisions to warehouse plan

By Julie Asher, Special Writer
   FLORENCE — The Planning Board has approved revisions to NFI Company’s final site plan for redevelopment of the 129-acre property on Route 130, which is expected to house three large industrial warehouses.
   The largest building is earmarked for the Subaru Corporation.
   During the meeting June 27, the attorney for NFI, John Gillespie, of the firm Parker McCay, explained why NFI was requesting changes to the site plan.
   The Subaru Corporation building would be larger than previously proposed in order to meet its needs, roughly increasing the square footage by 22,500 square feet, Mr. Gillespie said.
   Parking stalls in front of the largest building would be eliminated and put somewhere else near the building. The jughandle at John Galt Way takes five lots and reduces them to three.
   The variances being requested are within the property so they won’t affect anyone outside of the site and do not change the flow of traffic, according to Michael Landsburg, NFI’s real estate manager.
   The board wanted to know who would be responsible for the park’s maintenance. Mr. Landsburg said NFI would be responsible initially, then those in the three building most likely would be asked to contribute.
   Right now, NFI only has only one agreement — unsigned — with Subaru Corporation. There are no other companies interested in the other two building at this time, he said.
   According to site plans, the front yard setback along Route 130 North would be 234 feet with screening consisting of double rows of evergreen trees and landscaping to separate the park from the highway. The only change to the building are garage doors in the front so Subaru can bring in cars as needed for training purposes, etc.
   ”If needed, the industrial park will be able to function 24/7, although most businesses do not observe these hours,” Mr. Landsburg said.
   The buffering would keep noise and light levels to an acceptable low at all times of the day or night, he said.
   Mike Maloney, a resident of the Tall Timber development, was irritated that all the work at the site probably would not be done at one time, but, instead, would be spread out in phases.
   Mr. Gillespie reminded everyone this was NFI’s call based on a 2009 resolution, which states the three warehouses may be built in one or more phases.
   Mr. Maloney said there would be a decrease in his property value because no one wants to have a commercial zone for a neighbor.
   He said this project was a “slap in the face” to Tall Pines residents, and he said he felt neglected by the township.
   Florence Township attorney David Frank said, “There are setback variances in place to protect residences.”
   The plans are designed to keep the buildings at a set distance away from homes.
   But Mr. Maloney still called the project “an annoying neighbor” and said he could not wait to “get out of this town” and see it in his rearview mirror.
   More discussion began regarding lights, sound and drainage issues for the part of the Route 130 parcel that is closest to the Tall Timber development. Board members talked about the requests it had made to NFI at the onset of the project regarding controlling noise, lights, traffic, trash and other issues.
   Mr. Gillespie reminded everyone about studies done in the past and statements and plans made concerning enhanced buffering, stormwater management, environmental impact, traffic impact and other safety and welfare concerns.
   He said,” NFI has met and exceeded Florence Township’s requests and New Jersey state criteria. They are in compliance.”
   NFI Real Estate Developers is headquartered in Cherry Hill. It is a family owned business and a privately held company founded in 1932 by Israel Brown.