By Nathan Mayberg
SOUTH FALLSBURG — October 1, 2004 – Mountaindale Estates, a 250-260 housing unit development located at the old Baxter Stadium, received zoning extension approval in a unanimous vote by the Town of Fallsburg Board this past Tuesday.
The approval will allow the development to tap into the town’s sewer supply, as long as the developer pays for any necessary expansion of the sewage system due to the project.
The planning board will now move ahead with further review of the project, until it can recommend the project for final approval. The planning board will meet again October 14.
At a work session held last week, Councilman Joseph Perrello requested that the company’s name remain the same, so as to ensure that the property does not apply for tax breaks.
The total property encompasses 78 acres. Attorney Jacob Billig, who represents the developers, said they would not be asking for any tax benefits.
He believes the location, about 12 minutes from Route 17’s Exit 112, will be ideal for revitalizing Mountaindale. He said the project could have a positive impact on the neighboring Village of Woodridge.
Supervisor Steven Levine is supportive. He said he believes Mountaindale is “prime for development,” as it is the closest part of Fallsburg to Mamakating and Orange County.
“We are trying to improve the quality of life around the town . . . with year-round population. We want to see the hamlets come back to life,” he said.
Billig is also representing Glen Wild Industrial LLC, which is looking to bring light industry and manufacturing to a 70-acre parcel in the town.
Billig said that he and the developers are looking to make the site “shovel-ready,” in order to lessen the amount of time spent at the planning board.
The development proposes about 10 separate buildings, between 10,000 and 50,000 square feet. The owners hope they can lease certain portions of the property to prospective companies. Billig said he hopes the project will hire between 300-400 workers.
Billig said the company is in the midst of conducting a truck impact study, in response to concerns by the planning board.
Since there is no water and sewer at the site, the developers will build their own wells and septic system. Among the businesses they hope to bring are warehouses and assembly companies.
The project is slated to appear before the planning board on October 14.