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Large contractor‑storage yard proposed at 1 Lawrence Street draws scrutiny on floodplain, wetlands, lighting and truck access
Summary
An applicant team requested a site‑plan referral for a contractor storage and vehicle yard at a remediated site on Lawrence Street; they proposed pedestrian‑warning sensors, dark‑sky lighting, porous pavement and swales, while staff and the town traffic consultant raised concerns about wetlands, floodplain impacts, W/B‑50 truck turning radii and sidewalk connectivity.
Matt Barrons, counsel for the applicant, and Mark Picciaro, the project's engineer, presented a detailed revised plan for a contractor storage yard at 1 Lawrence Street on a site that previously participated in the Brownfield Cleanup Program. Barrons said the team incorporated Planning Board feedback by adding pedestrian‑warning signs with motion sensors at each curb cut, new lighting designed to be dark‑sky compliant, porous pavement for circulation and a swale and underdrain system for stormwater treatment. "We are largely staying within already disturbed areas," Barrons said, noting the site was previously the Nobel chemical manufacturing plant.
Engineers emphasized constraints from the Brownfield cap (a 6‑inch gravel cap described in the materials) that limit subsurface options; the applicant said they would use porous asphalt and a dry grassed swale with underdrains and that previous site disturbance reduces the need to expand into undisturbed land. The team reported a net cut of about 2,000 cubic yards within the floodplain but asserted there would be no displacement of flood storage volume and no encroachment into the floodway.
John Canning, the town's traffic consultant, urged further review of sightlines at the Lawrence Street/Selma River Parkway intersection, flagged queuing on Lawrence Street that could interact with the project's western driveway, and recommended the applicant study whether Lawrence Street could be widened in a 300‑ to 320‑foot segment to provide two westbound lanes. There was discussion about the permissibility of the proposed flashing pedestrian warning sign under the sign code; town counsel said the sign might qualify for an exemption but asked for cut sheets and specific locations so the building department could evaluate.
Members of the public and staff raised questions about vandalism and site security at the currently vacant property; the applicant said they plan a new fence and improved site management and asked whether a temporary generator or temporary power could be permitted to allow security cameras while the site is secured. The board set expectations for additional coordination with engineering and the traffic consultant and indicated it would consider a formal recommendation to the Town Board after receiving outstanding engineering comments.
Next steps: applicant and staff to coordinate with the town engineer and traffic consultant on outstanding stormwater, wetlands and truck‑access questions; staff indicated the board would ask for an additional 30 days of review to compile comments for a Town Board referral expected by about April 20.
