Neighbors, advocates and councilors press Markley Group request for large diesel expansion; council refers matter to joint subcommittee

Markley Group LLC returned to the Lowell City Council on Sept. 23 seeking approval to increase on‑site emergency diesel generator capacity, asking to add roughly 96,700 gallons of storage to the existing approximate 71,100 gallons for a total near 167,800 gallons.

The request drew more than a dozen residents and local advocates who said the expansion would increase air pollution, noise, water demand and safety risks for the surrounding neighborhood. City officials and the company said the petition had been submitted for public review and that the fire department had issued a prior approval for some generator work.

Why it matters: The proposal as described in the petition would make the Markley site one of the largest concentrations of diesel storage within the city. Neighbors said generators and weekly test runs already produce visible noise and fumes; they asked the council to demand more information and enforceable commitments on pollution mitigation, noise monitoring and emergency access.

Residents and environmental groups pressed for more detail. Sam Lambert, municipal and political campaign director for the Massachusetts Sierra Club, told the council the petition was “premature” without a firm plan for non‑emitting backup power and 24/7 carbon‑free procurement, and urged referral to a subcommittee for deeper study. Multiple neighbors described recurring noise and health concerns, higher water bills at the site, trees dying near homes, and what they said was a lack of transparency about the facility’s operations and testing schedule.

Several residents said they observed generator load testing and contended tanks marked as “future” were being filled; another neighbor said he had video evidence showing engines already in use.

Company representatives and counsel. William Martin, attorney for the petitioner, told the council the company had previously come before the council in June and said construction was ongoing; he asked only that the petition be referred to a public hearing and noted that Markley had provided additional materials to city staff. Council members said they had received a memo from the company earlier in the day and asked that that material be provided to neighbors and posted for the public record before further hearings.

Council response and formal action. After extended public comment and council discussion about outstanding technical and neighborhood concerns, the council voted to refer the petition to a joint Neighborhood and Environmental subcommittee for additional review. Councilors asked that the subcommittee include city department heads (fire, public works, sustainability) and that Markley and its project team and any written materials submitted to the council be present at the subcommittee meeting. Several councilors asked the city solicitor and staff to prepare factual information for the committee, including complete records of existing permits and diesel storage across the city.

What the council recorded: The roll‑call vote on the referral recorded a majority in favor (recorded “Yes” votes: Councilor Robinson, Vice Chair Yim, Councilor Belanger, Councilor Chao, Councilor Dakota, Councilor Genes, Councilor Mercier, Councilor Noon; recorded “No” votes: Councilor Scott, Councilor Gichia). Councilor Belanger, chair of the Environmental Committee, said she would schedule the subcommittee in October and ensure sustainability staff and the fire department attend.

Next steps: Councilors and speakers asked for the company’s written responses to neighbor questions (noise mitigation details, fuel accounting, water usage figures, emergency access plans and precise storage locations) to be circulated before the subcommittee meeting. Councilors also asked the fire department to compile a complete, citywide list of diesel storage permits for context.

Evidence and transparency: Neighbors asked the city to document and publish any tests, permit changes and fill levels. Councilors said the subcommittee would aim to produce a public record of questions and responses and to consider any possible permit conditions the city could require.

Ending: The council did not approve the diesel expansion at the Sept. 23 meeting. Instead, it directed a joint Neighborhood and Environmental subcommittee to convene in October, gather materials and hold a detailed review and public discussion before the matter returns to the full council.