Sustainable Warehouse Forum, Part III - Stormwater Management with Native Landscaping

Session 1 - Presented by Kerry Reider & Jason Smith

This talk will cover how Bushkill Township is working with developers in the Township to make their projects as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. Jason and Kerry will discuss how the Township works with developers (more specifically warehouse developers) to implement conservation easements, trail connections, native tree and shrub plantings, and stormwater best management practices (BMPs) into their projects.

Session 2 - Presented by Rob Christopher

Today, the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas are facing the challenges of a swiftly evolving landscape, from what was once vast pastoral views, rolling hills, old growth forests and agricultural fields and is now transitioning to residential, commercial, and extensive warehouse development with minimal and poorly planned environmental landscapes. These changes paint a new picture from what was at one time a system that operated in relative harmony, to one where we are now faced with our current ecological consequences. I will walk you through my perspective, coming from a lifetime of wandering the natural world and having a deep relationship with the Earth and now, having been immersed in municipal government ordinances, guidelines and enforcement, what works, what is lacking and, moving forward, what needs to be done to lessen our footprint. 

Session 3 - Presented by Sue Tantsits

Building our community means more than what is occupied inside a space but also what is growing outside and around these spaces. The landscape that surrounds our commercial and even residential environments can and will influence the future ecology of the place in which we work and live. Using native plants that have evolved in this climate, hydrology, and soils will bring life to that landscape and will connect landscapes, if we look at how they can influence a neighborhood. Diversity with a sustainable twist is what should be the goal when we build a landscape. What are native plants, why are they important to the future ecology and how do we use native plants to create a diverse and sustainable ecosystem. Changing the way, we look at these landscapes is essential in order bring about a healthier environment in the air, water, soil and for the wildlife.

Sessions 4 - Presented by Shaun Haas & Steven Laudati

Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (“Langan”) will discuss how their approach to warehouse land development can combine engineering, landscape architecture and sustainability to target carbon net-zero, incorporate green roof design, and utilize site materials to create not only a sustainable warehouse site, but also provide environmental benefits. Langan and Quandel Construction will discuss their involvement in a local state-of-the-art warehouse in Tatamy Borough (Lehigh Valley) for Martin Guitar. Langan applied their knowledge of local, county and state stormwater regulations, LEED regulations, experience with greywater re-use via stormwater irrigation systems and experience with stormwater design in karst geology areas to obtain entitlements for an optimally-sized building for Martin Guitar’s warehousing operations on the smallest parcel possible. Quandel Construction LLC, along with a team of trade partners, constructed the facility while working with Martin to achieve their sustainability goals. Solar panels are being installed on the site and expected to offset 100% of its electrical use. Martin is pursuing LEED Silver Certification for their facility. Quandel Energy Services provides design and sustainability options, assisting clients to respond to the increased demand for sustainability in the industrial market. 

Session 5 - Presented by Michael Szura

Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (“Langan”) will discuss how their approach to warehouse land development can combine engineering, landscape architecture and sustainability to target carbon net-zero, incorporate green roof design, and utilize site materials to create not only a sustainable warehouse site, but also provide environmental benefits. Langan and Quandel Construction will discuss their involvement in a local state-of-the-art warehouse in Tatamy Borough (Lehigh Valley) for Martin Guitar. Langan applied their knowledge of local, county and state stormwater regulations, LEED regulations, experience with greywater re-use via stormwater irrigation systems and experience with stormwater design in karst geology areas to obtain entitlements for an optimally-sized building for Martin Guitar’s warehousing operations on the smallest parcel possible. Quandel Construction LLC, along with a team of trade partners, constructed the facility while working with Martin to achieve their sustainability goals. Solar panels are being installed on the site and expected to offset 100% of its electrical use. Martin is pursuing LEED Silver Certification for their facility. Quandel Energy Services provides design and sustainability options, assisting clients to respond to the increased demand for sustainability in the industrial market. 

Kerry Reider works as the Open Space Coordinator for Bushkill Township, Northampton County, PA. He currently manages four Township owned passive recreation preserves, Bushkill Township’s trail network, and the township’s MS4 program. He also answers any environmental-related questions/concerns and assists in reviewing land development plans for environmental concerns. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, hiking, fishing, hunting, and exploring the outdoors.

Jason Smith works as an environmental scientist specializing in lake and watershed management, wetland consulting, and trout habitat restoration for Hanover Engineering in Bethlehem, PA. He is also a Township Supervisor and the Chairman of the Environmental Advisory Council in Bushkill Township, Northampton County, PA.

Robert A. Christopher currently holds the position of the Conservation Manager/City Forester for the City of Easton. Robert is responsible for the management of the Urban Canopy within the Right of Way and City Parks system, enforcement of Easton’s shade tree ordinance, citywide grant projects related to forestry and environmental/conservation projects. He is a supporting member and advisor for The Friends of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail, and a supporting industry expert for the Easton Environmental Advisory Council. Robert has a B.S. degree in Ornamental Horticulture/Environmental Design from Delaware Valley University and is a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) In 2019, he completed a program through Penn State University to become a PA Forest Steward. 

Sue Tantsits – PCH-SLC is a Horticulturist and Co-owner of Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, a retail Native Plant Nursery and Landscape Services company that promotes and supports the use of native plants in residential, natural, municipal and commercial landscapes. In Edge of the Woods Nursery’s 20th year, Sue works with clients to create sustainable horticulture designs through restoration, installation, and maintenance of the native plant gardens. Sue is a PA Certified Horticulturist and is Sustainable Landscape Certified. She has a BS degree in Horticulture from Temple University and a BS degree in Education from Bloomsburg University. She works closely with conservation organizations in our area and volunteers her time on various advisory boards throughout the Lehigh Valley

Shaun Haas, PE, CPESC is a Senior Project Manager with Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. He has 12 years of experience managing and designing all aspects of land development engineering and permitting projects, with considerable focus on:  Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) designs, stormwater conveyance designs and soil erosion and sediment control plan designs for various industrial, including numerous warehouse/distribution center developments, commercial, residential, roadway and utility infrastructure improvements projects. Shaun is a Professional Engineer (PE) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC). He received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Penn State University.

Steven Laudati, PLA, RLA, ASLA is a Senior Project Landscape Architect with Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. He has over 20 years of experience in land development, consulting and construction. He has extensive background in working with public and private sector clients on a wide range of development types including warehouse/distribution center developments, mixed-use, waterfronts, healthcare and streetscapes. His practical design approach aims to embrace sustainable principles and innovative solutions within the constraints of project budgets and schedules. He is a Professional Landscape Architect (PLA) in New Jersey, a Registered Landscape Architect (RLA) in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida and Connecticut. He is a member of American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). He received his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

John B. Hayden, PE, CEM is the Director of Engineering for Quandel Construction Group, LLC. John works with public and private sector customers to develop projects to reduce capital, energy, and maintenance costs.  Using past experiences in consulting engineering, design-build contracting, and performance contracting, John assists clients with improving their building’s asset value while lowering energy and maintenance costs and increasing resiliency. He helps accomplish these savings through retro-commissioning of energy-using systems, equipment replacement or upgrade, or designing integrated energy-efficient systems in buildings, including HVAC, plumbing, controls, lighting, building envelope, combined heat and power (CHP), thermal storage, and renewables. The results are the lowest life-cycle solutions considering energy use, long-term maintenance, cash flow, financing resources, and tax consequences.