Planning Commission approves demolition of five buildings for new logistics facility
Giancarlo Da Prato, IDI Logistics VP of Capital Deployment Leasing, addressed the planning commission’s concerns with the proposed logistics facility during their meeting Wednesday evening. (Photo by Vincent Medina)
NORWALK - Resolutions to adopt the conditional use permits and precise development plans for a logistics facility in Norwalk were approved by the city planning commission during their meeting Wednesday evening.
The resolutions will demolish five existing buildings and merge the four lots into one lot. Businesses that occupy the development site are set to relocate.
By utilizing the 3.84-acre project site, the Industrial Developments International Logistics developers will have enough room for the 76,602 square foot facility. The warehouse will be across from the corner of Carmenita Road and Mapledale Street, and west of Best Avenue.
The site was formerly 14516,14522,14528 Carmenita Rd. and 14521 Best Ave.
Gabriel Salazar, the senior planner, said the site plans are consistent with the general plans and complies with development standards.
“The 76,602 square foot logistics building will enhance the economic viability of the industrial property and will incorporate quality architecture with modern design and promote job creation,” Salazar said during the staff report.
He concluded with staff’s recommendation that the commission should adopt the resolutions.
Commissioner Gabe Garcia expressed concern over the truck delivery route to the facility, as the warehouse is near a residential area. He also wanted to know what business would utilize the logistics facility.
“[IDI logistics] is talking about demolishing five buildings and making one large building,” Garcia said. “So, what’s going to go in the building, and what’s going to happen to the traffic circulation, particularly to trucks?”
The senior planner explained the organization does not have a tenant for the facility. He said it is designed for potential warehousing uses and is designed similar to the surrounding area for potential industrial uses.
Salazar also explained trucks will enter and exit the site along the southeastern driveway and the driveway on Carmenita Road will be specifically for employees and guests. This addressed staff’s earlier concern with delivery trucks going down a residential area.
Giancarlo Da Prato, IDI Logistics VP of Capital Deployment Leasing, addressed the planning commission’s concerns of traffic and tenants.
“We’ve performed traffic studies related to very specific industrial logistics uses, which have the traffic studies included in the reports and packages,” Prato said. “We don’t have the tenant name or exact company identified, but they all operate within those traffic impacts.”
The VP of Capital Deployment Leasing explained the facility was built on a speculative basis, assuming a company will lease the property once it is built. He said the warehouse was designed to accommodate the community and avoid disturbing residents.
“We specifically designed the site with the residents in mind to keep the vehicle traffic on the left side of the site and the truck entrance to the right of the site,” Prato said. “Most companies do not want to commute their truck and vehicle car traffic for their employees.”
After addressing their concerns, the planning commission voted unanimously to approve the logistics facility and adopt the resolutions.
IDI logistics expects to start construction by spring 2024.