The New Scotland Town Board passed a six-month moratorium after listening to residents’ demands at the Wednesday, May 7, public hearing in the Voorheesville High School.
After more than three hours of New Scotland, New Salem and Voorheesville residents staking their claim against the Syracuse-based Sphere Development group’s plan to construct a 750,000 square feet big-box’ shopping mall, the town board voted yes.
As cheers roared through the crowd following the vote , some complained six months would not be long enough.
I don’t think it’s worth jeopardizing the town’s legal standing by subjecting it to potential legal fees,` said Tom Dolin, the town supervisor.
`The town can renew the moratorium after the six month period is over,` he added.
Sphere Development Group representatives were also in the audience.
`A moratorium is not necessary,` said Kurt Wendler of Sphere. `We have an excellent team put together with a lot of experience.`
After the moratorium passed, John D’alessandro, also from Sphere, said that the company is going to have to reassess their strategy.
`We’re going to take some time to regroup,` he said, `and figure out if we want to wait out the six months or not.`
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