Omni Industrial Park article NDN 10.6.05

Newport Daily News 10.6.05

By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff

The Omni Drive light industrial park has won final approval from the town.

The Planning Board recently signed off on the nine-lot subdivision at 1747 West Main Road in Middletown, while imposing several conditions on the project, Town Planner Ronald Wolanski said.

Aram Dermanouelian, owner of the 28-acre property once home to the Skater Island indoor skate and bike park, said he was excited about the project.

But because contractors are so backed up with other projects, Dermanouelian said he didn't expect the new road to be put down or site preparation work to begin until next spring.

"The road work and development site work probably won't start by the end of the year," Dermanouelian said. "I'd expect it this spring because all the contractors I've talked with, they're straight out right now and don't have any time."

First proposed in November 2003, the light industrial park cleared the Town Council in early March, but not without controversy.

Neighbors on both sides of the development said the project would negatively affect their quality of life and become a nuisance, arguing that the site should be used for residential growth, as suggested in the town's comprehensive plan.

A majority on the council disagreed, saying the site is zoned mostly for light industrial use, there is a need for such space in town and another housing subdivision would burden the town's services, including its schools.

As part of its approval, the council enacted several recommendations from the Planning Board, intended to buffer the light industrial park from the neighboring homes.

At that meeting, a split council rejected plans from Toyota of Newport - based at 1133 West Main Road - to relocate there and become one of the first tenants, because the proposal didn't match what town officials envisioned for the site.

Wolanski said the matter came before the Planning Board last month because the proposal would divide the property into nine lots. One of those would be reserved for open space and water quality purposes, another already is home to the former Skater Island structure and the remaining seven would be used for development.

Conditions placed on the project by the Planning Board include allowing no building permits to be issued within the subdivision until the town adopts new design requirements for commercial construction, and requiring the town engineer, Department of Public Works and Newport's Water Department to sign off on the project before it can tie into the sewer system.

Dermanouelian said at this point, there are no tenants lined up for the business park, although he said there have been numerous inquiries about the project.

"I've gotten calls from quite a few people about the site," Dermanouelian said. "There's a lot of interest there because there's nowhere else for them to build. There's really a need for more light industrial space."


	Middletown industrial park gains approval Newport Daily News 10.6.05 By Matt Sheley/Daily News staff The Omni Drive light industrial park has won final approval from the town. The Planning Board recently signed off on the nine-lot subdivision at 1747 West Main Road in Middletown, while imposing several conditions on the project, Town Planner Ronald Wolanski said. Aram Dermanouelian, owner of the 28-acre property once home to the Skater Island indoor skate and bike park, said he was excited about the project. But because contractors are so backed up with other projects, Dermanouelian said he didn't expect the new road to be put down or site preparation work to begin until next spring. "The road work and development site work probably won't start by the end of the year," Dermanouelian said. "I'd expect it this spring because all the contractors I've talked with, they're straight out right now and don't have any time." First proposed in November 2003, the light industrial park cleared the Town Council in early March, but not without controversy. Neighbors on both sides of the development said the project would negatively affect their quality of life and become a nuisance, arguing that the site should be used for residential growth, as suggested in the town's comprehensive plan. A majority on the council disagreed, saying the site is zoned mostly for light industrial use, there is a need for such space in town and another housing subdivision would burden the town's services, including its schools. As part of its approval, the council enacted several recommendations from the Planning Board, intended to buffer the light industrial park from the neighboring homes. At that meeting, a split council rejected plans from Toyota of Newport - based at 1133 West Main Road - to relocate there and become one of the first tenants, because the proposal didn't match what town officials envisioned for the site. Wolanski said the matter came before the Planning Board last month because the proposal would divide the property into nine lots. One of those would be reserved for open space and water quality purposes, another already is home to the former Skater Island structure and the remaining seven would be used for development. Conditions placed on the project by the Planning Board include allowing no building permits to be issued within the subdivision until the town adopts new design requirements for commercial construction, and requiring the town engineer, Department of Public Works and Newport's Water Department to sign off on the project before it can tie into the sewer system. Dermanouelian said at this point, there are no tenants lined up for the business park, although he said there have been numerous inquiries about the project. "I've gotten calls from quite a few people about the site," Dermanouelian said. "There's a lot of interest there because there's nowhere else for them to build. There's really a need for more light industrial space."