Planning Board sets hearing, approves signage and refers projects in Sept. 4 meeting

The Town of Newburgh Planning Board handled multiple procedural and substantive items on Sept. 4, 2025, advancing a mix of approvals and referrals across development, forestry and planning matters.

Timber harvest: The Board set a public hearing for Oct. 2, 2025 on an application from Klein & Sons Logging, represented by Chris Prentis of Lower Hudson Forestry Services, for selective harvesting at 55 New Road (parcel 34-2-13). Prentis said 22 acres of a 26.9-acre parcel are proposed for harvest with about 200 hardwood trees marked; he estimated roughly 16–17 truck trips for removal. Pat Hines (MH&E) told the Board adjoiners' notices must be sent, and recommended a $5,000 performance guarantee and a $1,500 inspection escrow to cover potential town-road impacts. The motion to circulate adjoiners' notices and set the Oct. 2 public hearing passed unanimously.

Signage (Newburgh Self-Storage): Justin Dates (Colliers) reported ZBA-granted variances for multiple freestanding and building signs at a proposed self-storage project at 1420 Route 300; the Planning Board granted Architectural Review Board approval for the signage package shown on the plans and instructed that only what is shown may be constructed.

CFB Realty subdivision: The Board received an initial appearance for a proposed 14-lot subdivision at 121 Wells Road presented by David Niemotko. The DEC accepted the wetland delineation, the proposal includes a cul-de-sac to serve ten homes and municipal water and sewer extensions are proposed. Pat Hines outlined many outstanding technical items (force-main/pump-station clarification, stormwater pollution-prevention planning, tree-preservation documentation). The Board voted unanimously to circulate adjoiners' notices and declare intent to act as lead agency for SEQRA review.

Route 9W catering facility: Reuben Buck and applicant Renice Marley proposed reusing the former Valley Diner at 5500 Route 9W as a catering hall and venue. The Board discussed seating, parking and septic capacity (the site has public water and private septic; prior SPDES capacity was reported at 110–120 seats). Pat Hines recommended referral to Orange County Planning, a courtesy DOT notification because the site is on a State highway, and circulation of adjoiners' notices. The Board approved those steps and voted unanimously to refer the project and circulate notices.

Comprehensive plan scoping: The Board reviewed the Town Board's circulated draft scope for a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) tied to a new comprehensive plan. The scope focuses on townwide topics including traffic, water and sewer impacts and community character; the Town Board is accepting written comments on the scope through Sept. 20, 2025. Planning Board members discussed how the comp plan will guide future zoning and that the Town Board has held off on individual zone/text changes pending this process.

Next steps: Each item requires follow-up filings or hearings (timber-harvest public hearing Oct. 2; applicant submissions and agency referrals for the subdivision and catering facility; ARB follow-up for signage).