Jim Wickman and Nathan Oliveri of Boise Cascade, and Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates at a recent public hearing.
WESTFIELD – The public hearing on a change in operating hours for Boise Cascade continued during Thursday night’s City Council meeting. Rob Levesque, of R. Levesque Assoc. said the company had been working since the initial public hearing on March 17 to remedy some of the issues raised by abutters, especially pertaining to lighting and traffic.
The Boise Cascade Company on Fowler St. Ext. off of Union St. distributes building materials on a wholesale basis to lumberyards, home centers, industrial accounts, and other retail businesses.
Levesque referred to a letter sent to the City Council on April 6 in which Boise Cascade changed their request from 24-hour operation to a special permit to operate from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m., from May 1 to Oct. 31, through their busiest season. Currently they are open from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight.
They also said there would be no inbound truck traffic after 9 p.m. Between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., the letter states, “we would be loading our own trailers only, not outside trucking coming and going. The Boise trailers are on site and will simply be loaded and parked. That loading area is as far away from residential areas as possible, and blocked by two buildings.”
In regards to lighting, Levesque said they have been able to separate the switches and now shut off any lighting on the north side, closest to the residential areas, after 8 p.m. They also redirected a light fixture that had been pointing towards residences on Fowler Street Ext. away from residences.
“This is a very important request for Boise Cascade,” Levesque said.
ROBERT PAUL
Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, Sr. said he has spent numerous hours and communication back and forth with the team at Boise Cascade, and they have addressed the lighting, noise and hours.
At-large Councilor Dan Allie said he lives at the far end of the property, and also met with owner Ronald Schortmann, branch manager Nathan Oliveri and Levesque.
“They’ve done a great job. I was able to see all that Mr. Schortmann was willing to do and has done,” Allie said. He said the neighbors had valid concerns, being “a huge piece of property that was lit up like a Christmas tree.” Allie said they eliminated the lighting problems.
“I would encourage the neighbors to approach the team. They spared no expense,” he added.
Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski asked whether the company had considered working weekends. Oliveri responded that they had to load trailers for morning delivery to businesses that are open Mondays through Fridays. In the letter he said that the extended hours would allow the second shift to work later to get the job done and ready for delivery in the mornings.
In response to At-large Councilor Stephen Dondley’s question about noise surveys, Levesque said they were able to eliminate some of the vehicle backup in terms of trucks coming and going. “If you’ve been on the facility, there are no potholes and brand new surfaces. I can’t say we’ve resolved the noise completely,” he said, adding that on the north side, two buildings shield a lot of the work being done. “Noises that they hear are off in the distance.”
“Anything that we could change in our facility, we did. We’re looking to load our vehicles only,” Oliveri said.
“My motion will be to continue this hearing to give the residents who were opposed to have an opportunity to go on site,” said Onyski.
Westfield Ward 6 City Councilor Bill Onyski (WNG file photo).
Oliveri responded that they have been offering that opportunity to neighboring residences for quite some time.
“I’d like them to still take another look. They’ve been putting up with this site being out of compliance for a year,” Onyski said.
“I would agree with the councilor across the way,” said Flaherty. “I was ready to vote against this. I’m not so sure the same people are here tonight. I’m leaning towards voting for it based on what you have said here tonight,” he added.
Levesque asked if it would be possible to get the names of the abutters. “We’d certainly be willing,” he said.
“There has been a lot of work done. The councilor wants to have another chance, but we have to be prepared to respond at the next meeting,” Paul said.
Council president Bean then opened the public hearing to questions for the petitioners.
Kristen Mello of Union Street, who lives just outside of the 300 feet notification area, asked about the truck traffic, and said the trucks from Boise Cascade make her house shake.
“Union Street is a truck route. A lot of commercial vehicles go up that road,” Oliveri responded. He said no trucks would be coming in or out of the facility after 9 p.m.
Matthew Roman said the shaking is from the condition of the roads, not the trucks. “The company has done a lot in the area. We in the city need good business. I’m in favor of the company. They’re doing a good job,” Roman said.
Chris White also spoke in favor of the changes. He said being in the building industry himself, Boise Cascade is a great partner, which is evident in what they’ve done to comply, adding that the fact that they were not compliant shows a lack of enforcement from the city.
Not in favor of the changes was a neighbor on Carpenter Lane, who did not wish to be identified. She said the company abuts on both sides of her house, and she had a completely different point of view, calling the police as recently as last week for noise from filling the trucks between midnight and 4 a.m.
“The forklifts are driving wood around and banging constantly,” she said. She said on one side of her house the lights have improved, but on the other side there are five spotlights shining directly on the house. She also said that through the years it’s gotten worse. She owns a two-family home, and has lost two tenants due to the issues.
Constance St. Pierre of Carpenter Avenue also spoke against the extended hours. She said Boise Cascade is right in her back yard, and the lights shine right into her second floor. There are also chainsaws going, workers talking to each other, and lumber falling from the forklifts.
“I’m working two jobs and going to college. My biggest concern is in two years when I want to sell my home. How am I ever going to sell it,” St. Pierre asked.
Onyski asked the residents to give their information to Levesque. “When this does get a vote, all the changes you made would have to be documented, so it doesn’t change back in a month,” Onyski said.
“We’re heading into our busiest season. This is a crucial time for our business, which is being negatively affected by restrictions,” Oliveri said.
Onyski moved to continue the public hearing to May 18. O’Connell amended the motion to also refer it to L&O, in order to expedite the process.
