PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT NORTHEAST LOGISTIC CENTER MOUNTS by Stefani Gosselink
A second public hearing for the Putnam Seabury Partners was held July 23, 2018 at the Town of Southeast Town Hall to standing room only. 14 voiced concerns about details of the projects, and 2 spoke in support.
Following a brief request from an applicant, the meeting immediately swung into a brief outline of the Planning Board process. Thomas LaPerch (Chairman) assured the public the process was far from over citing particular attention to issues brought up at the last meeting (July 9), and explained that one permit in particular (a Conditional Use Permit involving traffic, noise, air, water, and lighting), would be taken into consideration. “The function of the Board, however, is to make sure the applicant follows all requests appropriately.” He added that questions raised at these meetings will be answered—in writing— by the applicant.
The applicant then proceeded with a “tweaked” version of previous presentations highlighting contributions to schools, additional jobs for those owning businesses within our towns, among other perks that would benefit the Town. “We looked into the situation at Rte. 6, and are looking at lighting issues. We also did a count of the number of tractor trailers going in and out of the Gap facility in Fishkill,” said Dan Richmond (Seabury Partners) and company.
Immediately following this portion, speakers queued up on the left wall of the room in order to voice their thoughts on the project.
Many of the concerns were similar to the July 9th meeting, but with more detail. Traffic was at the very front of most people’s minds citing emergency vehicles, safely, road maintenance, quality of life, visual impacts, wetlands, and lack of supervision for traffic violations and inspectors of warehouse units. Many felt the issues of the last meeting were not addressed. “How did something so close, so big, get so far?” “We’re not anti-development, but 510 tractor trailers is a problem.”
Many, however, vocalized a continued referral but the developers that this facility would avoid additional school children. “When did adding children become a negative issue?” said a homeowner from Hunter’s Glen.
New, were requests for better studies involving issues of air quality. Ms. Armstrong questioned the developer’s scientific evidence for their air quality reports claiming the studies she saw differed with what Seabury studies claim—especially for tractor trailers. “Putnam County has slipped from C-D in air quality. It’s already bad and is declining.”
The impact of these large vehicles on local road was expressed as a issue. “Our roads are not designed to handle vehicles of this size and magnitude. Lynne Eckhardt (resident and Town Board member) said, “Pugsley is a Town road making the maintenance of it a Town responsibility.”
On the subject of jobs, many highlighted suspicion of jobs this facility claims it would bring to this area. “$40,000 cannot support a family in Putnam County.” Ann Fanissi made a comparison between the type of workers employed by warehouses in the Lehigh Valley, PA to the people who live in Southeast. “The demographic favored by warehouse owners are ‘distressed and depressed areas’ (NYT-2017). Southeast does not match this profile.” A resident from Twin Brooks added, “The jobs coming in are not desirable to the area.”
Many eyebrows were raised over the knowledge that the Town of Southeast does not have ample fire equipment to handle a situation like one that occurred at the Gap facility in Fishkill. “The warehouses had sprinklers, but the fire burned for days. What was in those warehouses? What will be in these warehouses? Who will inspect them? Do we have the 100 trucks and 20,000 gallons of ready-water needed to put out these fires?” To date, the public has not heard from the Fire or Highway departments on the effects and expenditures of this facility to the Town of Southeast
2 people spoke in favor of the project. Both cited tax benefits, goods use of the property, the fact that there will be 80% open space, had very low visual impact, and will save us money. “We need businesses in our area in order to keep taxes low,” said Marilyn Miller. Brian Gates (Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp, Goshen, NY) said, “E-Commerce is here to stay. And it will bring quality jobs.”
In the end, there were many who expressed a need for more public hearings. “The people should have their say,” said the attorney for Hunters Glen. The Board, however, voted against it. While there is one more public hearing (August 27th), the public will not be able to speak. Letters to the Planning Board, however, will be accepted until August 31st.
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