Some residents oppose big United Auto Supply warehouse; others welcome the investment - syracuse.com

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Baldwinsville, NY — Lysander residents are mobilizing and signing petitions to stop a $120 million warehouse proposed for 122 acres here.

The 1 million-square-foot center, which would be built in three phases, would be equal in size to the floor space of almost two Carrier Domes.

United Auto Supply has submitted its proposal to the town, and residents can speak about it at a public hearing at 7 p.m. today. The town will admit 25 people at a time because of Covid restrictions, town officials said.

The massive building would take a couple of years to build, but when constructed near Route 48 and Hencle Boulevard it would employ up to 500 people, said James Ranalli III, company president. About 200 of these would be new jobs, he said.

The land is zoned industrial, which fits this use, and is supported by the town supervisor. It’s at the end of Interstate 690, a four-lane expressway, away from any neighborhoods and surrounded by undeveloped land. It’s across from a storage warehouse.

More than 500 area residents have signed online and paper petitions opposing the project, said Robert Helfrich, who is helping organize opponents. He lives in a development of 182 homes less than a mile from the site.

Helfrich said his home, assessed at about $350,000, would drop in value as would others in the area if the warehouse is built.

United Auto Supply, an auto parts retailer and distributor based in Syracuse, has 30 retail locations and employs about 500 people. It would eventually move its headquarters and operations from the former P&C Warehouse at 1200 State Fair Blvd to Lysander.

Critics mailed an election-like flyer to residents in the area, criticizing the project.

Helfrich said residents worry about increased traffic and noise.

“You can hear the truck brakes as they come down 690 to stop at the light,’' he said. “And this operation is 24/7 363 days a year.”

Town Supervisor Robert Wicks said “eventually someone was going to go in there,’' he said, “and we feel fortunate it’s something like United Auto.’'

Wicks said if United Auto meets the zoning requirements, the town doesn’t have the authority to reject the proposal. If it did so without a valid reason, the town could be sued, he said.

The town has to approve the site plan, which is the architectural drawing for the proposed warehouse.

Wicks said he’s heard from many who support it and welcome the idea of new jobs and tax revenue. Even if the project applies for a tax break from the county, there will still be increased revenue from it.

Ranalli said he believes if people “take the time to get to know us and what do, they will support the project.”

He also said the trucks won’t be using any neighborhood roads.

“We are a clean, state-of-the-art operation,’' he said.

Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime at 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com

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