Westfield-Barnes Airport
WESTFIELD – Following a heated debate during a continued public hearing last week, a change of use permit request at Westfield Barnes Airport was sent to the license subcommittee.
The request is to allow the Home Depot to store 280 empty trailers at the former Whip City Raceway, which is on airport property, for six months.
Airport Manager Christopher Willenborg said he had followed up with Home Depot and the city’s engineering department on questions raised at the previous meeting. He said the company is still interested in the site, and is looking to start in March of 2021 if approval is granted.
Willenborg said city engineers Mark Cressotti and Jeremy Cigal confirmed that the old parking lot at the raceway is an impervious surface.
Willenborg responded to At-large Councilor Kristen Mello’s question as to whether Home Depot is willing to make stormwater improvements at the site, saying because of the short term lease, they were not. He said Cressotti and CIgal said the site appeared to be draining well, and that Home Depot would position spill tanks at the location.
Regarding whether the trailers would be washed before storage, he said they would not. He said the company would also like no limit on the hours of operation, but would be responsive to complaints, and the lease would have a termination clause of 30 days.
As for how to verify if the trailers are empty, Willenborg said they would be checked daily by Home Depot employees, and one door would be left open at all time, giving access to inspection.
Mello asked whether performance standards from the water resource area apply to this permit.
Willenborg said a memo from City Planner Jay Vinskey stated that the use is allowed. Mello countered that the memo also says the water has to be conditioned or treated.
At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty said in the zoning clause, it states that if the Council determines the storage has the potential to pollute groundwater, it can ask for special conditions. He said the ordinance also states if the area is 25 percent impervious, stormwater shall be provided.
At-large Councilor Nicholas J. Morganelli Jr. summarized a letter from resident from Kathleen Hillman, expressing concern about trucks coming in and out that could leak oil, as could trailers with hydraulic brakes
“Brakes on trailers are air brakes, not hydraulic brakes – no leakage. Trailers will be empty. This is a very, very safe usage. The potential for contamination is very minimal,” said Ward 5 Councilor John J. Beltrandi III, who chairs the license committee.
Morganelli agreed that the risk was low.
Mello reminded the councilors that the use was in the water resource district ordinance. “I think a clean trailer with air brakes is probably the least damaging thing we could do. It’s in the law,” she said.
Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski concurred with it being a safe use, and said being in Ward 6, he wouldn’t be in favor otherwise. “In my mind it’s a good use that brings revenue to the airport, which we’re all looking for. It’s a benign use. I am for this,” he said.
Flaherty said he tended to agree, but the use is still subject to compliance with the water resource area ordinance, and made a motion that the permit be subject to compliance.
“If we add those in, that means the project won’t happen. Does the amendment have the effect of preventing the project from happening,” asked At-large Councilor Rick Sullivan.
“If extensive stormwater has to go in, they probably won’t move forward because of the cost,” Willenborg said.
Flaherty said the conditions are only required if there is a determination for groundwater contamination, and not if the Council determines there is no potential for groundwater contamination.
“I think you’re overthinking this. This is a very low impact or no impact situation. Let’s get it done,” Beltrandi said
“I agree with Councilor Beltrandi, think about the potential for contamination. We have planes going in and out of there every day with fuel onboard,” Morganelli said.
“We’ve determined there is no likelihood for contamination. In the time frame they’re going to be using it, we don’t have to be concerned about road salt. We could ask them to clean the trailers before bringing them in March after the winter,” said At-large Councilor Dan Allie. He said the city hasn’t done anything with that property, and that this will be a source of revenue.
“As always, the devil is in the details. Home Depot said they are not going to wash the trailers. Number two, they probably can’t wash the trailers on their site. We’re also working with the airport all the time, with machines cutting the grass. There’s been care with that. Nothing has failed or a gas tank let loose. I think with Home Depot having a spill kit, I think we’re going to be okay with this, I really do,” Onyski said.
“If the trucks aren’t washed, and if there are 30 to 40 vehicle trips per day, we can’t guarantee against an accident. We would want to make sure that any spills are taken care of. We’re talking about $150,000 total. I don’t think we should sell ourselves out for $150,000,” said Mello.
“This is a hard decision. We do want the airport to bring in money, but there is a concern about the water resource area. Mostly because the trucks are not going to be washed,” said Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane, adding that while there are trucks on the base, there is a way to filter that water.
“I don’t know where the council wants to go with this. I’m comfortable with this project, but I don’t see this happening tonight,” said Council President Brent B. Bean II. A motion was made and passed to move the permit to License.
