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Planning Board closes MKJ Park warehouse hearing as DOT, DEC and fire‑code issues remain under agency review
Summary
The Board closed the public hearing for a proposed 173,000‑sq‑ft warehouse (MKJ Park) after extensive public comment about truck traffic, intersection safety, wetlands jurisdiction and SEQRA; the applicant waived timing constraints while DOT, DEC, Army Corps and the State fire codes complete technical reviews.
John Queenan (Lanc & Tully) described a proposed 173,000‑sq‑ft warehouse/office (166,000 sq ft warehouse, 7,000 sq ft office) to be sited into the hillside along Route 32 with a single improved 30‑ft access, 110 employee parking spaces and 31 loading docks. Queenan said the building was sited to reduce visible height from adjacent residential areas and Cronomer Valley Park and presented landscaping and a 35‑ft no‑disturb buffer along Paffendorf Drive.
Neighbors raised repeated concerns about truck traffic and the safety of Route 32/300 and nearby intersections. "There are several very important issues that this Planning Board should consider," said resident John Stravalle, who warned that the Route 32/300 intersection and pavement condition are already dangerous and said adding tractor‑trailer traffic could create a "traffic nightmare." The applicant said a traffic study was completed and is under DOT review; DOT asked the project team to analyze additional intersections and consider left‑turn accommodations.
A resident urged the Board to issue a SEQRA positive declaration and prepare an environmental impact statement because of traffic, visual impacts, wetlands and community character concerns. The applicant responded that an "expanded Part 3" and technical studies (traffic, wetlands, lighting, SWPPP) had been prepared and submitted for the Board’s SEQRA determination.
Pat Hines advised the Board that the State Fire Code typically requires two means of access for a structure of this size and that a variance from the New York State Codes Office would be necessary to proceed with only one primary access; the applicant said it submitted the variance application and widened the driveway to 30 feet to help accommodate egress. The Board discussed (and Mary staff documented) DOT, DEC and Army Corps reviews, potential wetlands jurisdictional questions under the new 2025 DEC rules, and earthwork volumes (tens of thousands of cubic yards to be exported). After extended discussion the Board voted unanimously to close the hearing while outside agencies continue their reviews; the applicant waived the statutory timeframe for a decision so technical agency reviews can proceed without forcing a premature Board determination.
