EASTON, Pa. — Residents and environmental experts voiced concerns Monday night over potential flooding and ecological impacts tied to the proposed 1-million-square-foot warehouse on Wood Avenue. Easton’s Zoning Hearing Board heard testimony regarding a special exception request from the developer, Scannell Properties.
The hearing focused on a single aspect of the project: the planned relocation of a watercourse, retention basin and access road within a designated floodplain. The proposed changes are part of the broader Easton Commerce Park development.
Residents and their attorneys called Lafayette College civil and environmental engineering professor David Brandes to testify about potential stormwater and flood risks.
Brandes raised concerns about the design of the proposed flood channel and runoff modeling, noting the project would increase impervious surface from roughly 2.7 acres to 54 acres. He estimated the project could produce 6 million gallons of runoff during a 10-year storm and more than 10 million gallons during a 100-year storm, potentially causing downstream erosion.
“The main point is that the channel is not correctly designed,” Brandes said, adding that the hydrological models relied on scaled data from Bushkill Creek rather than site-specific measurements from Spring Brook, which he said may underestimate flood risk. He also questioned soil type assumptions and recommended installing a stream gauge and developing a site-specific runoff model.
Scannell attorney Mark Kaplan emphasized that the project met required engineering and environmental standards.
Residents shared firsthand observations of high water levels and expressed concern for local waterways. Xavier Garcia-Molina, who lives near the creek, said even small amounts of rainfall can cause significant rises in water levels.
Bruce McCutcheon, representing the Delaware Chapter of Trout Unlimited, noted that stormwater runoff from the warehouse could threaten the creek’s Class A wild trout population, increase stream temperatures and introduce pollutants, potentially violating state protections for high-quality cold-water fisheries.
City Solicitor Robert Nitchkey reminded the board that meeting state and federal permit requirements does not automatically grant special exceptions under Easton zoning rules. Brandes testified that the proposed tributary relocation could violate local zoning by increasing flood risk and potential damage to life and property.
Scannell’s Haas countered that drainage features, including a replacement culvert under Hackett Avenue, would manage runoff and mitigate peak flows.
The hearing was adjourned at 10 p.m. and will be continued at a future, unannounced date.
