Resident urges stricter warehousing rules; commission raises enforcement and equity concerns

Resident Clarence Bouchat presented a multi‑part proposal for additional conditions on warehousing in the township, urging larger setbacks, enforceable hours of operation, noise limits, air‑quality review, and standardized traffic studies. Bouchat said the current setback "is currently 200 feet, he would like to change this to 500 feet, not just the building, but the infrastructure," and requested that the commission consider these changes especially for sensitive areas such as schools or residential neighborhoods.

Commissioners expressed concern about enforceability and unintended consequences. Commissioners Helman and McDonald said they opposed a blanket 500‑foot 'dead space' requirement for infrastructure, and staff and the board noted enforcement of new numeric noise or air standards would require resources and likely shift the township away from a complaint‑based enforcement model. Ann Johnson, representing the Clean Air Board, told the commission the board "supports the idea of an environmental impact assessment done by the developer, not to just set a baseline but to identify possible issues," and she emphasized the importance of enforcement if new rules are adopted. Staff also said the township cannot require developers to use a single firm for traffic studies, and flagged litigation constraints around the Trindle Spring Trade Center as a reason staff could not discuss that property.

The discussion generated no formal motion to change ordinance language at the July 3 meeting; commissioners asked staff to consider implications and enforcement burdens before any formal text changes.