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Newburgh zoning board denies developer’s request to raise warehouse height to 55 feet
Summary
The board voted to deny Avion Ventures’ request for a 15‑foot height variance for a proposed 62,500 sq ft warehouse at Pomarico Drive, citing the substantial size of the request and neighborhood impacts despite traffic mitigation proposals.
The Town of Newburgh Zoning Board of Appeals denied a request July 25 from Avion Ventures for an increase in allowable warehouse height from 40 feet to 55 feet.
Justin Dates of Colliers Engineering & Design, speaking for Avion Ventures, said the 62,500‑square‑foot speculative distribution facility seeks the additional interior clear height to attract modern warehouse tenants. “The facility itself is a warehouse distribution facility, 62,500 square feet total,” Dates said.
Board members and residents pressed the applicant on truck circulation, the narrow Pomarico Drive access, likely shift operations and the size of the variance. Board member James Politi called the requested percentage increase “a huge ask,” and others said nearby residential property and existing traffic patterns merited caution. Resident Robert Ganci described safety concerns and truck movements near homes on Pomarico Drive and urged tighter traffic controls.
After issuing a SEQRA negative declaration for the unlisted action, the board applied the five area‑variance factors and voted on a motion for disapproval. The motion passed on a roll call, denying the 55‑foot height variance. Chairman Scalzo summarized the vote: “The motion is carried and your request was denied.”
The project may still proceed at the code‑allowed 40‑foot height with further reviews by the Planning Board and state agencies as required; the applicant’s team said they had not secured a tenant and were planning to build on spec.
