Town of Montgomery residents brought up numerous concerns, including impacts on stormwater run-off, traffic and wildlife, at two special meetings for Project Sailfish.

Located near Interstate-84 (I-84) and the intersections of NYS Route 17K and 747, the $75 million project will turn 188 acres of vacant land into an approximately 1-million-square-foot warehouse with more than 1,000 car parking spaces and 225 truck trailer spaces, according to Town of Montgomery planning board documents. The application was submitted on behalf of Bluewater Industrial Partners.

The project also includes a new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Ownership of the plant will be transferred to the town after construction, allowing for the expansion of the facility for future projects.

The treatment plant will be designed to treat raw sewage and will discharge the effluent to surface waters on site. The treated effluent discharged from the WWTP would meet or exceed the effluent requirements required by the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).

Bluewater Industrial Partners representative Don Chase said while he could not disclose the warehouse tenant, the building will exist for the fulfillment of consumer goods. There will be no hazardous materials or industrial processing.

The project will include 80 acres of disturbance and 50 acres of impervious surfaces, Chase said.

Several town residents brought up concerns about an increase in stormwater run-off into the Tin Brook, a small stream that snakes through the project site and the Village of Walden, and increased flooding downstream.

Residents on nearby Brown Road were also concerned about the nature of the property, which already experiences occasional flooding, and increased flooding on nearby properties as a result of the project.

“That site is a swamp with open water now. . . The hydraulics of that site cannot be overcome. Water has to go somewhere,” Newburgh resident Sandra Kissam said at a public hearing on Jan. 14.

The proposed maximum projected average wastewater generation for the project is a maximum of 20,000 gallons per day. However according to the DEIS, the stormwater management practices would detain, treat and release stormwater runoff in a controlled manner at a rate equal to or less than what existed prior to construction of the property.

The site contains approximately 88 acres of wetlands and wetland adjacent areas. The largest wetland, with 47.8 acres, is driven by seasonal high groundwater, occasional flooding from the Tin Brook and overland run-off, according to the existing conditions report of the DEIS.

Proposed stormwater management plans include bioretention basins—the practice that uses plants, microbes and soils for removal of pollutants from stormwater runoff—and stormwater management ponds.

The drainage system would consist of high-density polyethylene and concrete pipes, concrete catch basins and drainage manholes. Catch basins would be generally located in driveway and parking areas, be provided at all changes of direction and be spaced 300 feet apart or less.

Residents were also concerned about an increase in traffic and its impact on the intersection of 17K and Browns Road, which they described as dangerous.

“It’s a very dangerous thing doing a left-hand turn across traffic on 17K,” Montgomery resident Richard Bystrak said. “You are taking your life in your hands.”

Montgomery resident Dennis Pennega requested that a traffic study of the intersection of 17K and Browns Road be conducted.

Residents were also concerned about the validity of the traffic studies in the DEIS, which they said were not up to date.

The DEIS estimates the site will generate between 617 and 641 car and truck trips for morning and evening peak hours for all months of the year except December. During the peak season of December, the project will generate between 975 and 1,032 trips during peak hours.

Access to the site will primarily be from Route 747, which intersects I-84 at exit 5A and a secondary access on Route 17K. A proposed traffic light will be installed on NYS Route 747 to provide a northbound left-turn lane and south-bound right-turn lane into the project site. Route 747 will also be widened.

Several residents said there are several animal species present on the project site that are not mentioned in the DEIS, including the endangered Indiana bat, the state endangered bog turtle, bird species and even bears.

The DEIS states there were no endangered or threatened plant or animal species on site during field investigations conducted by the assessment, but it also states the New York Natural Heritage Program identified the Indiana bat within 1.5 miles of the project site. However, 2008 and 2014 studies for previous proposed projects did not indicate the presence of the endangered bat.

The document also identifies the bog turtle as possibly present.

Not all comments on the project were negative. Several residents and business representatives praised the project as a job creator and tax ratable.

“I think it’s the right project in the right place at the right time,” Goshen resident and Vice President of Atlas Security Services Scott Perry said.

The location of the project will take advantage of its easy access to I-84 and provide a connection to International Boulevard and Stewart International Airport.

“The Town of Montgomery is historically recognized as a front-runner for successfully attracting quality projects,” President and CEO of the Orange County Partnership Maureen Hallahan said. “We’re asking for a predictable and timely review of this project so new jobs will be created, taxes will be generated and the whole community wins.”

The project will generate approximately 800 full-time jobs with annual starting salaries of $31,200 plus benefits, including vacation time, medical insurance, 401K benefits, tuition reimbursements and more, according to the project's application for assistance with the Town of Montgomery Industrial Development Agency. 

The site has been eyed by large developers before for its convenient location.

In 2009, Hudson International Business Center proposed the development of a business park focusing on warehousing and distribution, with five buildings and a total floor area of approximately 1.5 million square feet. The project progressed past the FEIS stage but was never built.

In 2015, Resorts World Hudson Valley proposed a 1.7-million-square-foot casino. The project did not move forward as the New York State Gaming Facility Location Board did not choose any potential gaming sites in Orange County, including the Town of Montgomery site.

The full DEIS and other documents are available on Montgomery’s website at townofmontgomery.com, or project documents may be found at town hall.

The planning board closed the public hearing for the DEIS. However, the board extended written comment to Jan. 28. Comments may be addressed to Suzanne Hadden, Town of Montgomery Planning Board, Town Hall—110 Bracken Road, Montgomery or emailed to shadden@townofmontgomery.com.

A continuation of the public hearing for the site plan and special use permit will be at town hall on Feb. 11 at 8 p.m.