Deerpark Planning Board gets earful on New Century Film proposal

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Pubic Hearing in Deerpark.

DEERPARK – Nearly two dozen speakers addressed the Town of Deerpark Planning Board during a public hearing held Wednesday evening on a proposed massive expansion at 517 Neversink Drive, New Century Film, in Huguenot.  Plans include an 85-room hotel, multiple restaurants, 3500-seat expanded multi-purpose arena, four-story parking garage, film production studio and costume workshop, public gun range, parking lots, wastewater treatment facilities, and new roads, among other components.

Members of Fellenzer Engineering firm spoke first, giving an overview to the approximately 75 individuals in attendance at the hearing.  Site plans were displayed for the project, which drew both support and opposition from the many who turned out to both speak and listen.

First to speak, lifelong resident Robert Zeller submitted a statement spotlighting environmental concerns and the impact of traffic and waste treatment facilities on flood-prone, rural surrounding areas.  Zeller, who lives a mile down river from the proposed site expansion, recalled the many floods and ice jams he has personally seen raise water levels, he said at times 10-15 feet in minutes or hours, raising concerns about seepage from retention ponds and pollutants in the waterways. “Our streams cannot handle sewage spilling into the waterways.  What long-term impact will this bring to our natural resources, waterways, and disturbance to endangered bald eagles nesting and flying around this area daily?” Zeller asked.

Thomas Brunnell, also a long-time resident, was among those who saw positive impacts the project could bring. “I respect the technical issues that need to and can be resolved.  It is my hope that this project is allowed to move forward.  I have attended festivals of thousands of people at this location that have been run with perfect track records.  This is a beautiful community, and I think this would improve our town,” Brunnell said.

Members of the planning board took notes as speaker after speaker spoke passionately both in favor and against the impact on the rural community of the Town of Deerpark.   Many of the speakers were long time residents, others were environmentalists, engineers, parents, New Century workers, or concerned neighbors.

Grace Woodard and Alex Scilla were among those addressing environmental concerns and the intention of those proposing the project.  “This began as a film studio, which we were in favor of.  It has morphed into a horse of a different color and is the first step to urbanizing our township.  So, I ask what do we want the next 30,40, 50 years of Deerpark to be like?  If we are to protect the rural character of this area, I don’t see how this can help,” Woodard said.  “We are proposing this on the banks of the Neversink River, which has its issues, but it’s a fine river.  I imagine the town wants to keep its rural character,” said Scilla.  “A decision needs to be made.  Is this what we want for the town?”   

Resident Art Moore said he supports the forward movement of the project, and has placed his confidence in his town’s planning board decision-making process.
“Everything rests on your shoulders for decisions.  Make the right ones,” Moore told them.




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