TE-CO looking to add facilities within Union
BY RON NUNNARI Independent Staff Writer
The possible rezoning of 3.821 acres on Show Road from agricultural-residential to light industrial use topped discussion at Monday night's Union City Council meeting.
Council approved by 6-1 vote, the first Of three readings Of an ordinance amending the city's official zoning district map. If all three readings are approved it would clear the way for a long-time Union based company to expand onto land that would be rezoned by the passage of the ordinance.
The land under consideration is located on the east side of Shaw Road south of Phillipsburg-Union Road adjacent to land owned by the city where its service garage is situated. TE-CO Tooling Components, currently located Pt 109 Quinter Farm Road,is proposing to construct a new facility on the land.
TECO owner Kenneth Quinter said the new facility is needed in order to house one of company's two corporations.
One corporation is called TE-CO, the other QU-CO. TE-CO manufactures tooling components and QU-CO manufactures a modular fixturing system product line, the purpose of which is to hold work pieces mt manufacturing tables.
TE-CO will be moved to the new location. If council approves all three readings of the ordinance. Warehousing and shipping will be performed Out or current planton Quinter Farm Rand.
The proposed facility would consist of a steel structure measuring 168 feet by 90 feet with parking to the rear of the facility. About 20 total employees would work two separate shifts. Hours of operation would be from 7 am. to midnight.
Several residents raised concerns over the proposed facility. One resident asked why the company couldn't simply use its existing land on Quinter Farm to expand its operations.
TE-CO Vice Presidint of Administration and Finance Walt Moulton expiained the need to keep TE-CO's two business operations separate. The lbcation on Quinter Farm would be used for expansion of QU-CO when needed.
A concern was raieed over possible noise emanating from the proposed facility on Shaw Road as well as truck traffic coming into and out of the facility.
The facility will be air conditioned eliminating the need to have any doors open at anytime. Due to this there should be no detectable noise. The company does not anticipate more than one or two trucks arriving or leaving per day to deliver mauufactming product, usually 12 to 24 foot lengths of 5,000 to 14000 pound steel.
One resident feared the facility would affect the resale value of homes located in the vicinity and felt council should not allow businesses to locate so far lnside the city limits.
City managet John Applegte pointed out that five new homes have sold and two are under construction adjacent to TE-CO's current facility.
Other concerns regarded whether or not the roadways could handle any additional truck traffic and possible noise problems.
Applegate stated that phihipsbmg-Union Road and Shaw had had been recconstructed to new standardsi to meet the requirements of light indusrriel use. A wall at Minnich Cemetery can be moved back without disturbing graves in order to accommodate four lanes of traffic if necessary. Applegate also stressed that Phillipsburg-Union Road aleady handles a great deal of truck traffic.
Quinter assured the owner of nearby Sunshine Kennels that they would be willing to work with them to canstruct a sound barrier if needed. There are already plans to plant trees along tbe East edge of the property which borders the Sunshine Kennel's property.
There is no anticipation of expanding the proposed facility, which Quinter stated was more than sufficient to handle the company's needs.
After Council approved tbe first reading of the ordinance Mayor Robert Packard urged residents present at the meeting to come back with other residents to express any concerns they have during the second sad third readings.
See the Englewood Independent for more details.