Residents have been complaining about an odor at the site of a proposed warehouse facility at Northface property along Route 248 in Palmerton.

Several people voiced their frustration on the Palmerton Here and Now Facebook page.

Borough Manager Donna McGarry said the borough has received a few complaints.

McGarry said she contacted the Department of Environmental Protection and a representative visited her last week.

“He explained that the odor isn’t a violation unless it permeates into residential areas,” McGarry said. “It is currently being placed along the Route 248 side of the property, which in all likelihood would create the odor problem along Route 248. However, if the wind shifts and blows it toward the residences, that becomes a problem with DEP.

“I understand that Northface is trying to cover the fill with other fill as soon as they can to minimize the odor. They are also supposedly spraying an odor mister to minimize the smell.”

Further, McGarry said the borough has also received a complaint about the dirt being brought onto the roadway at Northface’s exit.

“The DEP representative explained that dirt on the roadway is a police or PennDOT issue,” she said. “If it becomes airborne, it then becomes a DEP issue.”

McGarry said DEP gave her their phone number, and added residents may call them with complaints at 570-830-3057.

In April, borough council approved modifications to a zoning ordinance regarding warehouse regulations and signs.

McGarry said at that time that while she didn’t want to say the regulations are solely directed at Northface, whose plans call for four warehouses, they are meant to serve a purpose.

Earlier that month, council on a 6-0 vote shot down a temporary tax abatement request to attract businesses.

Northface said it planned to build four roughly 500,000-square-foot warehouses, one each year starting in 2022, on the property located just off Route 248.

The borough was one of three local taxing bodies - along with Palmerton Area School District and Carbon County - needed to support Northface.

Contacted Tuesday afternoon, Northface Development Chief Operating Officer George Petrole was asked by a reporter if they still plan to move forward with warehouses.

“Nothing is certain,” Petrole said. “Anything could go there; it’s a large, wonderful space.”