What to know about Amazon's distribution center in Essex
The Town of Essex's Development Review Board took up Amazon's proposal to build a 107,00-square-foot distribution center off Kimo Drive at a public hearing Thursday. But, after a four-hour meeting marked by near-unanimous opposition from community members, the board opted not to put Amazon's plans to a vote.
Appearing by Zoom, a spokesperson for the development defended the proposal, saying Amazon is already a part of the community. 'We're already here, we already have customers, we already have businesses selling on amazon. com,' the spokesperson said.
'This is kind of the final piece of that plywood to make sure that we can deliver the best service.'
Among the issues raised by opponents is what the facility would mean for other businesses. 'It's a threat to small businesses and workers that sustain our local economy,' said one man who attended the meeting in person. 'We should not welcome a company that prioritizes profits over people.'
Here's what else to know about Amazon's proposal:
Where would it be built?
Amazon has its eye on roughly 23 acres of woodland and meadow in the Saxon Hill Industrial Park. The site is bordered by undeveloped land on three sides and a solar array to the south. The review board approved a 5-lot subdivision of the land, which was once mined for sand and used as a tree farm, on March 6.
What else would be on the site?
The site plan includes parking lots for 211 cars and 271 delivery vans, as well as spaces for five trailers and five box trucks. The warehouse will have 11 loading docks.
What about traffic?
Access to the site will be via four driveways off Kimo Drive. One driveway at the northern end of the site will be lead to the loading docks. Workers inside will then sort the boxes for each route.
One parking lot just south of the warehouse is for employees andvisitors. Tractor trailers and box trucks will enter the site on the north side of the warehouse via separate driveway.
Van drivers are expected to make a total of 90 trips in the morning — 46 vans in and 44 out; another 82 in the afternoon — 55 in and 26 out, according to Amazon's calculations.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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