Planning commission approves BAC Distributing expansion at 528 East Washington Street

The Village of South Russell Planning Commission on Sept. 11 approved a request from Washington Center Limited tenants, including David Gilbert of BAC Distributing, to expand storage operations at 528 East Washington Street by roughly 10,000 square feet.

Commissioners reviewed the application (PC2508) and fielded neighbor questions about loading activity, container storage and parking. The commission's approval at the meeting was a formal action to allow the tenant to expand within the existing industrial/mixed-use property; no changes to hours of operation or new access points were approved.

Applicant David Gilbert described operations as primarily served by company box trucks rather than regular tractor-trailers. He said: "No. No. Mostly... we have our own box trucks that we use to shuttle equipment," and that most deliveries and pickups are handled from existing loading docks. Gilbert told the commission the expansion "does not change the flow of loading" and that container activity is limited by the site's capacity.

Neighbors and nearby tenants raised questions about semitrailers occasionally blocking access to a gated area and about whether more frequent container deliveries would create additional congestion. One nearby business representative said, "There are times when the semis are backing in that we can't get through the fence or our parking." Gilbert and other applicants responded that semi traffic would not increase and that containers are rotated and staged under existing constraints (the applicant noted they can have about three containers at a time).

Commission discussion addressed parking and circulation; staff confirmed the expansion would not add new loading entrances and would rely on existing loading lines. Commissioners asked applicants to coordinate with property management on staging and to be available to respond to neighbors' operational complaints. The motion to allow the expansion carried unanimously among members present.

The commission's approval allows BAC Distributing to occupy the additional space; any substantial operational changes beyond the approved expansion (for example, new drive aisles or altered access points) would require additional review. Neighbors were encouraged to notify planning staff if post-approval operations differ materially from the representations made at the hearing.

The approval is recorded as PC2508 in commission materials; staff will update building-occupancy records and follow up on any parking or circulation coordination with the landlord and tenants.