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Neighbors press Council for stronger environmental review on proposed tank-farm demolition and warehouse plan
Summary
Residents near the Pickett Road fuel tank farm urged Council to scrutinize a developer's plan to demolish 10 tanks and build two large warehouses, raising groundwater-contamination history at the site, truck and drone delivery concerns, nighttime lighting and noise impacts, and requests for stricter zoning and permitting studies.
Speakers from nearby Sutton Heights, Barrister's Keep and Pickett's Ridge addressed Council about an approved Architectural Review Board decision to demolish 10 fuel tanks at a tank farm and redevelop the northeast corner with two 42-foot-tall warehouses totaling over 300,000 square feet.
Residents said they had no prior notice of the project's planning or ARB review and raised several concerns: the 2011 underground petroleum leak and an existing groundwater plume, risks of additional contamination during demolition, odors and toxic-fume exposure during tank removal, increased heavy-truck traffic, light and noise impacts on adjacent townhome communities, and possible "final-mile" delivery hub uses including drone operations that pose public-safety and airspace concerns.
Speakers requested the city ensure robust environmental and traffic studies during permitting, careful oversight of tank removal methods, and stricter scrutiny during zoning and building-permit review. They said they had retained legal counsel and sought coordination with county and federal regulators as needed.
Ending
Council and staff noted the area's industrial zoning but agreed that zoning and permit reviews should be thorough; staff advised residents to participate actively in upcoming zoning and permitting processes.
