County to buy out LaGuardia contract for $1.1 million
By Edie Johnson
CHESTER — The Orange County Industrial Development Agency will pay a developer $1.1 million to cancel its contract to buy the former Camp LaGuardia homeless shelter.
The 258-acre campus was derelict for nearly a decade as residents fended off plans for a massive housing development. It's now headed toward a different fate, as an industrial site.
The site is located in the towns of Chester and Blooming Grove and owned by Orange County. Only about 55 acres are buildable. The property is located within the Monroe-Woodbury School District.
With many large-scale housing developments planned for the area, town and county officials say the property would be better off with light industry than with residences, which will only strain local schools, services, and infrastructure.
County Executive Steve Neuhaus announced the new direction for Cam LaGuardia at his State of the County address Tuesday night. The would-be developer, Joel Mounty of Mountco Corp in Scarsdale has accepted the county's offer of $1.1 million to cancel the contract pending since 2008, when the legislature authorized sale of the property to Mountco for $8.5 million.
Last March, Mounty told the Town of Chester planning board he had already spent $2 million in his efforts to acquire the property.
Chester Supervisor Alex Jamieson said a map has already been prepared showing the placement of each industrial pad.
Chester's planning board chair, Don Serotta, predicted other costs, including the cost of an impact study. But he was positive about the new direction, as was Jamieson, who said the Chester portion will be rezoned after a review by the county planning department and a public hearing.
Many residents said they were glad a resolution was finally in sight, especially if it can bring in more tax revenue. But those who live next to the site remain concerned about what kinds of businesses they'll have as neighbors.
Serotta said he expects his board will retain its right to review the project. Any industry close to residences would have to be a suitable neighbor, he said.
Much of the Chester portion is black dirt farmland and wetland. Serotta said the board will probably not approve some businesses allowed by the town's industrial code, such as asphalt manufacturers and printers, because they may produce runoff. Businesses similar to those operating along Blackmeadow Road, that emit no noise and generate little traffic, would be more likely to get approval, he said.
The Blooming Grove portion is zoned for low-density housing. The town was steadfast in refusing to allow the high density of units sought by Mountco.
Blooming Grove's planning board chair, Ralph Maffei, who keeps in touch with Serotta, immediately suggested, "We should get together with the Chester board and come up with some ideas for the property together."
After a moment, he added: "Maybe we could have a solar farm there."
Chester has already started its rezoning work. It's opting for a straight industrial zone because office park designations are more difficult to obtain. Jamieson said Chester's zoning is written to allow offices anyway. All options are open at this point.
The site's lack of sewage capacity has been the biggest stumbling block to putting housing on the site. But it may already have sufficient capacity to accommodate light industry. A solar farm, for example, wouldn't need sewer or water service.
The property might also be supplied by new wells drilled on-site or by the Village of Chester's water lines. More than four acres are located in the village, which has better water infrastructure and supply than the town.
Camp LaGuardia's long history of contention will resolve to a peaceful end if town and county officials have their way. They agreed to meet with one other regularly and, from here on, work toward a common goal.