The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation has approved a permit for the controversial BJ’s Wholesale Club development next to wetlands in Mariners Harbor. paving the way for its construction.

Before the 226,000-square-foot commercial development could be constructed, the DEC needed to approve the Article 24 Permit, which critics said would result in the destruction of 18 acres of woodlands.

Once constructed, the site will include a gas station, 838 parking spaces a supermarket and other retail.

“The State Department of Environmental Conservation granted us the permit because we met all of the State’s requirements for protecting the wetlands,” said the developer’s land use attorney Mitchell Korbey.

By Sydney Kashiwagi. Read the full article here.