City Council Approves Controversial Warehouse Development Near Eastside Residential Zones

MILLBROOK, June 3 — The Millbrook City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday to approve a rezoning application from Trellion Logistics Group, a regional freight company headquartered in Dunmore, allowing the construction of a large-scale warehouse facility at the former Hartwell Textile site on Drummond Road. The decision came after nearly three hours of public comment, with dozens of Eastside residents filling the council chambers to oppose the project, citing concerns about truck traffic, noise, and air quality impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.

Supporters Say Jobs Are the Priority

Proponents of the development, including the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce and several business council members, argued the project would bring an estimated 220 permanent jobs and generate roughly $1.4 million annually in new property tax revenue. Mayor Calvin Brees said the city had negotiated a community benefits agreement with Trellion that includes a $200,000 contribution to a neighborhood traffic mitigation fund and restrictions on overnight delivery operations. Councilmembers Anita Pham and Jerome Whitfield cast the dissenting votes, with Pham calling the traffic study "incomplete and rushed."

• Construction is expected to begin in Q1 2026, pending state environmental review
• The Hartwell Textile site has been vacant since 2018
• Trellion operates seven facilities across the tri-state region
• A community liaison committee will be established before groundbreaking

Several residents said after the meeting they are exploring a legal challenge to the approval, arguing the environmental impact assessment did not adequately account for cumulative pollution effects in an area that already borders a freight rail corridor. Eastside Neighbors Coalition spokesperson Tamara Gould said the group will meet this weekend to weigh its options. The Courier will continue to follow the story as the project moves toward the state review phase.