New Amazon Warehouse Plan Denied in Orange County, NY

An Orange County, NY town just denied a request from Amazon for zoning exceptions to build a new 3.2 million square-foot warehouse in their community.

Across the Hudson Valley, several Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers have already been constructed, including multiple locations in Orange County. At least for now, that number will not rise after a unanimous decision by a local zoning board.

Town of Wawayanda, NY Rejects New Amazon Warehouse

Last week, the Town of Wawayanda Zoning Board denied an appeal from Amazon that included a height exception to construct the warehouse. While the denial was unanimous, the project still had support from other local organizations.

Why Was Amazon's Warehouse Plans Denied in Wawayanda, NY?

Many community members reportedly opposed the warehouse for the potential of increased traffic, pollution, and "radically alter[ing] the character of the town", according to Orange County Executive candidate Michael Sussman (below). Others apposed the warehouse for what they felt were unfair tax breaks.

New York State Senator James Skoufis Reacts to Proposed Amazon Warehouse

State Senator James Skoufis also expressed his opposition to the warehouse, calling the $102.6 tax breaks "robbery" of the local economy, and described the company's proposal as "despicable" (below).

Support for Proposed Amazon Warehouse in Wawayanda, NY

Supporters of the warehouse included leadership from local unions, not only due to the temporary construction jobs the warehouse project would create, but the roughly 750 permanent jobs that would have become available as well.

Read More: Amazon Planning Massive Warehouse Off New York State Thruway 

Senator Skoufis rebutted the potential for permanent jobs, noting that 675 out of the 750 positions would pay minimum wage, potentially creating even more hardship for taxpayers.

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Amazon, which originally started as an online bookseller, in now valued at over $2.2 trillion. Take a look back at its history from bookstore to worldwide corporation below.