The proposed project known as “Stowaway Self Storage Expansion” returned before the Town of New Windsor Planning Board on Wednesday, February 28 for the continuation of a public hearing. No public comments were made and the board closed the public hearing.
The application before the town planning board proposes the addition of eight more buildings to the active Stowaway Self Storage facility at the corner of Little Britain Road (Route 207) and Toleman Road.
This expansion would see an addition of 112,150 square feet to the site.
The land was reportedly rezoned from residential to O/LI (Office/Limited Industrial). The site operates 24 hours a day for its customers and only features seven buildings currently. Lot consolidation was also proposed for the project, meaning that several lots would be combined into one lot.
Several technical comments prepared by Engineer Shawn Arnott of MHE Engineering at the January 24 meeting requested that the applicant clarify the construction phases for the project, review the grading of the site and clarify site plan details.
MHE has also had the opportunity to review the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) and provided its comments to the applicant which addressed drainage, requested clarification of designs on the buildings for gutters and where the discharge would be sent and review runoff calculations. The applicant would have 14 total comments to address in the SWPPP.
The project would require a signed stormwater maintenance agreement with New Windsor and then filed with the Orange County Clerk. The project received approval from the town’s fire inspector and a local determination was made from the Orange County Department of Planning.
Engineer Nicholas Rugnetta of Pietrzak & Pfau Engineering & Surveying, PLLC returned Wednesday night and made the board aware that plans were submitted for review to the town the previous Friday, February 23.
At the board’s meeting on January 24, several residents of Toleman Road commented on the expansion addressing their specific concerns. Residential properties are immediately adjacent to the site.
Toleman Road resident William Eich raised concerns about drainage problems he was facing, impacts to his quality of life and impacts to the neighboring wildlife. “I have lived there for 32 years before anything was there,” he said.
Toleman Road resident Ronald Eaton questioned the size of the expansion and raised concerns about the drainage/run off that should be taken into account. “We’re not against the owner being able to develop some of the land, okay, but not turning the whole property into nothing but a storage facility,” he said.
The project is anticipated to return before the planning board at one of their next meetings in March. The next planning board meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 and Wednesday, March 27 both beginning at 7 p.m. at New Windsor Town Hall at 555 Union Avenue.