The Eldred Township supervisors approved new definitions for warehouses during their meeting in September. An amendment to the zoning ordinance was passed following a hearing on the topic.

“In terms of what it does, the first thing it does is it changes the definition of what a warehouse is, clarifies the distinction between a warehouse and a truck distribution center, a trucking terminal. This distinction is important in Eldred, because truck terminals, distribution centers are not allowed in Eldred at all,” said Michael Gaul, the township solicitor.

“Warehouses are allowed. So the question is what’s the difference between a warehouse and a distribution center? This is actually an important distinction.”

Gaul explained that in municipalities that allow both types of structures, it’s important in determining which rules apply.

“Here it’s an important distinction, because it’s an issue about whether they are allowed here at all,” he said.

For Eldred Township, warehouses are being defined as places where things are stored, a storage area. The thing that is a modern thinking the important thing is how many trucks are coming and what is the size of the development.

“That’s where you get your impacts,” Gaul said.

Warehouses originally were categorized as a principal permitted use in the Industrial District. Gaul explained that the new definition changes it to allow warehouses as a conditional use in the Industrial District.

“That means that when someone wants to try to build a warehouse, they’ll have to come before the board of supervisors,” Gaul said. “It will be subject to board reviewing what the external effects will be above normal of this type of development, and they can pose conditions on it to protect the health, safety and welfare of the town.”

The new amendment also breaks down the types of warehouses to small, large and traffic intensive.

According to a summary of the ordinance, all warehouse uses must include or address the following items: access and parking, off street loading, lighting, sensitive receptors, sound, prohibited outdoor storage, prohibited vibrations, proper containment and disposal of fuel and other items, external building materials, LEED certification, radio coverage for emergency responders, and compliance with floodplain regulations.

Large warehouses must also include a buffer yard, berm, environmental and community impact analysis, and solar system.

The requirements for traffic intensive warehouses include a minimum lot area and setbacks, a traffic impact study, signage and visible traffic patterns, parking and amenities for truck drivers, and trucks with mechanical ice scrapers.

The township’s zoning districts include rural resource district, agricultural/residential district, residential district, commercial district, and industrial district.