MIDDLETOWN – A proposal to change the zoning that would allow an apartment complex to be built off Orange County Route 78 in the City of Middletown drew comments Tuesday night from neighborhood residents concerning potential flooding that could be caused by the development.
The 10-acres of property are all wooded and attorney Peter Botti told
the common council the Carmelite Fathers, who own the land which was recently
annexed into Middletown, want to build the four, three-story facilities.
“We are presently in developmental work projects here with Jonah Mandelbaum, a local community developer, and the plan is to build 164 what we call integrated units of housing,” Botti said. “That housing serves the disabled, veterans, our local workforce, and seniors, and we are asking for that zoning change this evening.”
Right now the property is zoned for single-family housing.
While local residents have no issue with the population the housing would serve, five expressed their concern about potential flooding and traffic problems that could arise.
Mayor Joseph DeStefano assured them the city would be vigilant in working with the development plans to ensure there are no adverse effects from the construction, if approved.
