BALDWINSVILLE — The Lysander Planning Board will hold a public hearing on United Auto Supply’s proposal to build a massive warehouse at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 13.
United Auto Supply, owned by the Ranalli family, is looking to construct a 1-million-square-foot warehouse on the corner of Hencle Boulevard and Route 48. The $120 million warehouse could eventually employ as many as 500 people.
A handful of residents shared their objections to the project at the Lysander Town Board meeting on May 6. Resident Cindy Todd said she is concerned about Lysander turning into a “concrete jungle” plagued by intrusive noise and light, traffic, overcrowding and pollution of air and drinking water. She also expressed concern that the warehouse could lead to increased taxes and higher assessments.
Another resident, Melanie Shum, said she understands development is necessary to maintain the property tax base, she believes the United Auto Supply project is “environmentally unsound” because of its proximity to an aquifer and wetlands.
“We already have issues with water and sewage in this area,” Shum said.
Supervisor Bob Wicks said the matter falls under the planning board’s jurisdiction, but he promised to forward resident Cindy Todd’s comments to the planning board.
“Although there may be differences of opinion on this particular project, I can assure you that the town board, the planning board and all the people that are associated with the town really do consider some of the things that were brought up tonight,” Wicks said. “As far as the big picture, a vision for the town, we’re working on [updating] a Comprehensive Land Use Plan right now that was developed five years ago that hadn’t been updated in 20 years.”
Wicks said he is confident the CLUP committee will create a plan that is in the best interest of the majority of residents.
Ranalli ALA, LLC, is planning to build the warehouse in three phases with a projected completion date of July 2025.
Visit townoflysander.org to see the planning board’s agenda for May 13 as well as the completed environmental assessment form for the United Auto Supply project.
