Orangetown Board Approves Amended Special Permit for Orangeburg Commons

The Orangetown Council first approved a special permit for the developers of the Orangeburg Commons project at 170 Route 303 in 2006, but it was never built.

On June 28, 2011, FB Orangetown LLC submitted a request to amend the special permit to alter the site plan, primarily so a Stop and Shop Supermarket could be built as part of the project that will also include two hotels, a bank and a restaurant.

The town council voted 4-0 to approve the amended special permit at Wednesday's meeting, with Councilman Denis Troy absent.

Councilman Tom Morr, who won re-election to the board after a four-year absence last November, was part of the board when the initial permit was approved.

"This is very satisfying to me to get this too fruition," Morr said. "I was here when we granted the special permit. At the time, the way the lot was zoned and what was proposed there would have been detrimental to the surrounding areas.

"Then the special permit was a good thing, something the neighborhood can use. The amendment improves it further. What they are putting in is something the community wants and will definitely use. It is satisfying to be here as it finally comes to fruition. I wish everybody luck an d hope it adds value to the town."

The process has often been contentious, with previous and current board members questioning many aspects of the developer's plan. The issue made it to a public hearing that began _Jan. 26_ and has carried through the town board meetings since.

The project would be built in stages, with the Marriott Residence Inn and the Stop and Shop Supermarket to be built first. A major concern for the town council has been to make sure the hotel is built, so the final point of discussion Wednesday was to include language that would ensure that the supermarket will not open without either significant progress being made on the hotel or financial guarantees in place.

The next step for the project is to go before the Orangetown Planning Committee at its next meeting 7 p.m. March 24.

The town council also voted to approve the following appointments to land use boards:

• Zoning Board of Appeals: Joan Salomon, 5-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2016
• Zoning Board of Appeals Chair: William Mowerson for 2012
• Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate: Michael Bosco for 2012. 
• Planning Board: Michael Mandel for term which expires Dec. 31, 2015
• Planning Board: Kevin Garvey for 7-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2018.
• Planning Board Chair: Kevin Garvey for 2012
• ACABOR (Architecture & Community Appearance Board of Review): Blythe Yost for 3-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2014.
• ACABOR: James Dodge for a 3-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2014.
• ACABOR: Alex DiMenna for a 3-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2014.
• ACABOR: Thomas Warren for a 3-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2014.
• ACABOR Chair: Paul Papay for 2012

All were unanimous votes except keeping Garvey as chairman of the Planning Board and appointing Yost to ABACOR. Supervisor Andy Stewart voted against both, but they were approved, 3-1.