Agenda: June 22, 2022 Agenda Packet
**UPDATE**
Applicant Lowered Height On Proposed Building; Eliminates Need To Go To Zoning Board of Appeals
A note from our friends at Save West Hook Mountain:
A number of people who have been involved with efforts to save West Hook Mountain are also involved with the nearby warehouse proposal issues in Valley Cottage. Traffic in this area is already a mess, and we recently had significant flooding there. The proposed warehouse on 20 acres is extremely likely to make both situations worse, along with other impacts.
Given the impacts and the creation of a mere 10-15 full time jobs at the huge, automated warehouse... it's seems strange that the building would be receiving $2.5 million in tax abatements.
Below is information I have received from organizers of this effort about how we can all get involved to both learn more and to voice our significant concerns at an upcoming Planning Board meeting on June 22nd, as well as to communicate our concerns directly to elected officials.
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Lincoln Equities Group of Rutherford, NJ, a landowner/developer wants to remove nearly 20 acres of trees and disturb wetlands to build their enormous 220,000 sq ft distribution warehouse in Valley Cottage.
A number of concerns were raised that a project this size and scale is out of character for our community and additionally: A major concern is the number of tractor-trailers, one every six to seven minutes – or about 250 trucks per day, every day and night, and possibly many more –clogging our two-lane, residential road. *This was still not addressed in the Technical Advisory Board (TAC) meeting. Their traffic study says there will be minimal traffic impact, but common sense tells us otherwise.
At the recent TAC meeting, Lincoln Equities has eliminated the height variance by lowering the building to 40' and eliminated the knockout doors (additional bays), clearing the way for approval.
The proposed building will be operating on a 24/7 schedule, which means the surrounding homes, schools, nursing homes, businesses, and homeowners will be breathing in diesel exhaust, fumes from idling trucks, and experiencing industrial noise each and every day & night.
The benefit for the community is limited, as there will only be 10-15 jobs created, in addition to tax abatements over $2.5 million …and counting. They are also negotiating with town, county, and school districts for a payment in lieu of taxes.
The tenants may be Amazon and possibly a Target distribution center, although Lincoln Equities has not said who will occupy the space.
The health and safety risks are too great to ignore, not to mention the charm and character of our local community will be lost forever.
There is something you can do about this warehouse proposal:
Please attend the next Planning Board Meeting – June 22, 2022, at 7:30pm 10 Maple Avenue, New City NY.
We are still asking for a "positive declaration under SEQRA," so they can do a full environmental study of the impact this property will have on our community.
Please share with others and come to the Town Planning Board meeting June 22nd at 7:30. Meeting address: Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Avenue, New City, N.Y.
Planning Board Meeting Calendar
More information at: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1415570478882252&id=105341353238511