EDISON — After complaints from neighbors of noise, idling trucks and disruption of quality of life, Amazon is working with local officials to review and address concerns.
“Amazon is eager to be a valued member of the community and therefore takes very seriously the concerns of the residents and nearby neighbors of our fulfillment center,” said Rachael Lighty, spokeswoman for the online retailer.
The 900,000-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center on Route 27 in Edison, which employs 1,000 people, opened in October.
Neighbors living behind the fulfillment center have addressed the Edison Township Council on concerns of quality of life. Some neighbors have sent photos of broken sinks and holes in walls they said they believed were caused by the movement of trucks from the fulfillment center near their homes.
“We are working with local officials and the building’s owner to review and address concerns,” Lighty said.
Councilman Robert Diehl said during a Jan. 8 council meeting that officials are addressing the issue with legal counsel.
“Like Topgolf, Amazon is a successful large business impacting a neighborhood in a negative way,” he said.
Neighbors of Topgolf in the Edison Towne Square on Route 1 have been working with the entertainment golf venue and township officials on alleviating noise issues in the past year.
“We want large businesses in town; [however], they should be good neighbors,” Diehl said.
The councilman said township officials will look at what township ordinances are in place and make sure any infractions are fixed.
“At the end of the day, you can’t have a broken sink and [your other neighbor should] not have a hole in a ceiling,” Diehl said to the resident who shared her concerns with the council at the meeting.
The resident did note that Amazon has been receptive to working with the neighbors on a solution.
Diehl said it was encouraging to hear that Amazon is cooperative, because it becomes difficult when companies and organizations do not work with residents.
He encouraged residents to continue to send photos and emails of their concerns. He said working on a solution may take time, which can become discouraging at times.
“It was the late 1950s and early 1960s when the homes were built [behind Amazon],” he said. “We have people who have lived there four to five decades. They do not deserve such a negative impact. Our job is to not to have that.”
Councilman Leonard Sendelsky said things are moving forward with finding a solution. He said in the initial meeting with Amazon, officials said they bring a sound and lighting expert to the site.
Contact Kathy Chang at [email protected].