The Town of Newburgh board held a public hearing via Zoom on May 11 to discuss a law that would allow preschool and daycare centers to be built in the area.

The proposed childcare centers would be located on the B, or business, district. The B district is at the center of the town’s four major highways: 9W, 32, 52 and Route 17K. The daycares will be subject to New York State Office of Family & Child Services licensure.

The law is being proposed by a business owner in the district who is said to be operating at least two daycare facilities there and had been before the zoning map changed.

“The applicant is -- or petitioner is requesting the Board to make this change because they wish to expand their use on the site,” said Mark Taylor, attorney for the town. “I believe there’s a secondary building that they’re proposing to use in connection with the business operations. I think that is the primary reason they asked for the zone change.”

Bill Fetter, resident of Rockwood Drive, asked why the zone change was being proposed in an area that doesn’t feature educational institutions such as daycares.

“What brought about the need for the change?” he asked.

Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio responded to his query, and appeared to be encouraging the change.

“It affects more than one business,” he said. “This would really make them conform with zoning, which is probably the proper thing to do when possible.”
A public comment period followed the hearing, which is expected to elapse on May 24.