Developers describe 280,000 sq ft warehouse proposal near Dobbs Ferry; say Greenberg is lead on approvals

Biomed Realty representatives presented an informational briefing to the Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on Oct. 28 about a proposed redevelopment in the neighboring Town of Greenberg. Jennifer Gray, an attorney with Keen and Bean representing Biomed, said the company is pursuing a site‑plan application to replace the former Acorda life‑science campus at 410/460 Saw Mill River Road with a 280,000‑square‑foot warehouse. “To be clear, we are not requesting any permits or approvals from the Village Of Dobbs Ferry,” Gray told trustees, adding the visit was intended to open lines of communication with neighboring villages.

Diego Villareal of John Mayer Consulting described site layout and traffic access, saying the building would sit between two main access points and that all truck loading would be on the rear of the building, screened by retaining walls and landscaping. The team said the property sits in Greenberg’s General Industrial zoning district where a warehouse is a principally permitted use; the Town Board has declared itself lead agency for state environmental review.

Ethan Warsh, a Biomed representative joining by Zoom, said the company had marketed the site for years without success finding a new life‑science tenant and that, after consultation with Greenberg officials, Biomed removed proposals for a last‑mile distribution facility from consideration. “We heard loud and clear that the town did not want it…we will not pursue a last‑mile distribution facility,” Warsh said. The presenters added that Biomed is not planning to build the warehouse on spec and would seek a tenant before construction but needs to complete long lead entitlement steps in advance.

Trustees and residents asked about traffic and truck counts, dock quantities and potential tenants. The developer said site plans include up to 79 loading docks but that does not mean 79 trucks would operate simultaneously; peak truck trips were estimated at roughly six per hour under the industry models provided to the Town of Greenberg. Questions about whether tenant approvals would trigger additional public hearings were answered by Biomed: the site plan under review would allow up to two to four tenants whose uses must conform to the entitlements and SEQRA determination; significantly different uses would require further permits.

The presentation noted nearby context that concerned some residents: Westchester Hills and Mount Hope cemeteries to the south, a county office building to the north and apartment lofts across Sawmill River Road in Hastings. Biomed said it has submitted supporting materials to Greenberg, including noise and traffic studies, and expects the planning board to issue an advisory report before the Town Board schedules a public hearing.

Dobbs Ferry trustees emphasized their limited jurisdiction—multiple trustees and the deputy mayor reminded attendees that residents interested in commenting on the application must monitor Town of Greenberg planning‑board and Town Board filings to participate in the formal review. The Biomed team said they would continue outreach to neighboring municipalities and share materials as they are updated.