Lebanon
The Planning Board voted 6-2 on Monday to extend its approval of the 92-acre Iron Horse Park on land off Glen Road, but only after some members questioned the viability of the project’s original concept.
“I really hesitate to give more extension waiting for an idea that’s time has passed,” said Planning Board member Joan Monroe, according to an audio recording of the meeting.
The site, which is owned by Twin State Sand and Gravel, was first approved in 2012. Plans call for 660,000 square feet of retail, office and industrial space. But construction of buildings has to be preceded by millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements, including new roads, sewer and water lines.
The development rights are currently for sale, said Rod Finley of Pathways Consulting, who represented Twin State Sand and Gravel before the board. Last May, the property was on the market for $15 million, partially because the company didn’t have the estimated $12 million needed for infrastructure projects.
“A lot of money has been spent to prepare this site for a future developer,” Finley told the board.
Since 2012, several buildings have either been moved or demolished to make room for the development, he said. Asphalt also continues to be taken away, and work is ongoing to level the property.
But when the board asked if two more years would be enough to get the project ready, Finley responded it might take longer.
“I’d prefer to ask for more time, actually, but I don’t know if it’s allowed,” he said. “I’d prefer to double that request.”
Board members said they didn’t want the project coming back for extensions every two years and wondered if the plans are still workable. When the project was proposed, developers hoped to attract a big-box store to the area and complete infrastructure work before moving onto developing the industrial buildings.
“The city is well aware of a number of manufacturing companies that are in the city already who are bursting at the seams and this is one of the last reasonable opportunities in the city where you can get a 50-, 100,000-square-foot manufacturing-type facility,” said City Planning Director David Brooks.
Brooks said several city officials approached Twin State Sand and Gravel with the idea of altering its plans. By starting with the industrial lots, developers could attract business and hold off on some of the most costly infrastructure projects, he said.
“I don’t know exactly the status of all those discussions but that was a discussion that we brought to their attention, considering starting with some of the industrial lots,” Brooks said.
The idea made sense to several Planning Board members, including Monroe, who asked why progress wasn’t moving as quickly as developers initially hoped.
“The issue is there’s more than two years of work to build this infrastructure,” Finley said, adding the company still needs to remove about 2 million yards of dirt before construction can start.
Attorney Barry Schuster, who represents Twin State Sand and Gravel, agreed with Finley and told the board the company is working to meet goals set by the city.
“The list of things that Rod (Finley) went through, that’s not something you do if you’re just biding your time. You’re trying to finish the project,” he said.
Still, planning officials weren’t entirely convinced.
“I personally feel that thinking that a big box store is going to want to come there … I personally feel that’s wishful thinking,” said Monroe. “That’s not going to happen.”
Board member Gregory Schwartz said he was also hesitant about the project. Regulations have been updated since the initial approval, and he said it might be good for the board to hear updated plans.
“I’m sick of granting extensions after extensions,” he said, referring to several projects that regularly come back for an extension.
Members said they intend to watch the project over the next two years and might not grant another extension if there’s little progress by 2019.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.