|
RCBJ-Audible (Listen For Free)
 |
Congers Warehouse Projects Advances With Financial Support From IDA
While the proposal to construct two large warehouse buildings with a small retail component on about 40 acres of land on the west side of Route 303 near Meola Road in Congers moves through environmental review at the Clarkstown Planning Board, the project received some financial support from the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency (IDA).
The project, known as Cedar Corners, has been revised several times during the land use and environmental review process. Two warehouses on two parcels – one would be approximately 383,652 square feet, the other 187,200 square feet — are proposed, along with a small retail/fast food component on a third parcel.
The developers, a consortium of Brooklyn-based real estate developers, submitted an application to the IDA, requesting a $1.2 million mortgage tax exemption, up to $5.025 million sales tax exemption, and the authority to negotiate PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) agreements with Clarkstown, the Clarkstown Central School District and the County. The developer represented the project would create 250 full-time jobs within three years.
According to the developers’ application with the IDA, the land was acquired for $50 million. Construction costs for the 561,520 square foot warehouses total over $105 million, including soft costs and infrastructure improvements. The developers hope to start construction in early 2026 and have the project ready for occupancy in early 2028.
Westhab’s Partnership With Village of Haverstraw Will Net 81 Affordable Housing Units
Westhab, Inc., a Westchester-based nonprofit housing developer, secured financial support for a project that will convert an under-utilized parking lot owned by the Village of Haverstraw into 81 affordable housing units, including 20 apartment units dedicated to formerly homeless households.
Units will be leased at rents affordable to households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) – studios for $1,418 per month, one-bedrooms for $1,519 per month, two-bedrooms for $1,823, and three-bedroom units for $2,106.
The project is supported by New York State Homes & Community Renewal’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program which is expected to generate $21 million in equity, its State Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program which is expected to generate $2 million in equity, and $9.5 million from the Supportive Housing Opportunity Program. It also received $2.5 million from the Empire State Development’s Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund.
The Village of Haverstraw entered into a long-term ground lease with the developer for $1 per year. Construction costs for the building were estimated to be about $45 million, including infrastructure and soft costs, according to the developer’s application with the Rockland County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The IDA authorized the developer to negotiate PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreements with the relevant taxing jurisdictions.
The project, known as 30 West, is expected to open by the end of 2027.
Multi-Family Floating Zone Considered For Orangetown’s Light Industrial Districts
In December, the Town of Orangetown deferred action on a proposed zoning text amendment that would have enabled the owner of property at 125 and 155 South Greenbush Road in Orangetown to pivot from plans to develop warehouses on the property to plans to build multi-family housing.
Developer Gabe Alexander owns two properties on South Greenbush Road and originally planned to construct two warehouses totaling 543,000 square-feet on the two adjoining parcels at 155 and 125 South Greenbush Road. The 12-acre parcel at 155 Greenbush Road is a wooded tract in the town’s LI Zone.
A proposal to create a “floating zone” allowing for “multi-family dwelling communities” in the Orangetown’s LI (Light Industrial) districts is pending before the Orangetown Town Board, but no action has yet been taken.
The proposed zone, known as the Multi-Family Dwelling Community Floating Zone” (MFDC-LI) would allow developments on parcels of at least 10 acres in LI zones, provided the project comprised at lease 20 dwelling units — apartments or townhouses.
The local law would allow the Town Board to approve petitions and conceptual plans (subject to additional review) for residential development in LI zones on parcels that are adjacent to any low or medium density residential district.
The new zoning district is consistent with the recent update to Orangetown’s Comprehensive Plan, which encourages multi-family housing stock for young adults and seniors and discourages the development of manufacturing, warehouses, distribution centers, and related uses in proximity to residential zones.
Although prompted by a petition for the Town to consider multi-family housing at 125 and 155 Greenbush Road, the floating zone would apply town-wide in the LI districts.
In a review by the Rockland County Department of Planning, the County recommended the inclusion of minimum required play areas for children living in the units, and the addition of accessory uses such as onsite daycare and indoor recreation facilities.
The floating zone would permit buildings of four stories or heights of fifty feet. The town already has a Planned Adult Community (PAC) floating zone that allows multi-family development in the town’s CS and CC zoning districts.
