LIBERTY — A public hearing was held during the Town of Liberty’s Planning Board meeting last week regarding a proposed warehouse project in Ferndale.

As previously reported in the Democrat, applicant Samuel Eisenberg of BSD, LLC is seeking a special use permit to construct a warehouse of up to one million-square-feet at 468 Harris Road.

Before the public hearing began, Planning Board Chairman Lynn Dowe said he would recuse himself as he is part owner of a neighboring property.

Planning Board Member John Van Etten assumed the role of chairman and asked for any comments from the public.

Joanne Oh said she was against the size of the project, describing it as “mammoth” and expressed concern over the level of traffic it would generate.

“I understand the town needs tax revenue, but you have to consider the people who live there …” she said. “I’m here to try to protect my investment and my way of life.”

Marc Baez, President and CEO of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development, said much time has been spent trying to attract tax ratables to the Old Route 17 Corridor, which is currently zoned as industrial/commercial development.

“It’s our feeling that this project is appropriate for this corridor,” Baez said.

Baez said that as more people order goods and products online or through the mail these types of logistical facilities become more in demand.

Baez touched on national  supply chain issues and how part of addressing that is through warehousing.

“We used to be a ‘just in time society’ … because of the situation with COVID and supply chain stuff we are a ‘just in case society,’” said Baez, referencing how companies will need more storage options.

“We have an opportunity locally to capitalize on that situation,” Baez said. “The partnership is fully behind this project. We think it's time that Liberty get some tax ratables to address a serious tax problem that we have here in this town.”

Baez said that traffic entering or leaving the warehouse is “sporadic” and “stays away from daytime peaks.”

Appearing on behalf of the applicant were Jim Bates of Ecological Analysis and Joe Berger of Berger Engineering & Surveying.

Bates said that the project is currently limited by sewer and water, but they would like to meet with town representatives to see if a private/public venture to extend water and sewer lines down Old Route 17 is possible in the future.

Bates explained there is still no tenant for the project yet. “It’s going to be on spec until after site plan approval,” Bates said. “Nobody wants to buy into something until it is something.”