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Judge denies Article 78 lawsuit against proposed Amazon distribution center

Jan 31, 2019 12:11 am
Eric Anderson reports in the Albany Times Union that State Supreme Court Judge Patrick McGrath denied an Article 78 lawsuite against a planned Amazon distribution center in Schodack that some neighbors say violated state environmental protection laws. Scannell Properties will get to develop the $100 million distribution center on 116 acres in Rensselaer County, with a claim of 800 future jobs. Birchwood Association homeowners who live near the site say they wanted an environmental impact study to be completed. "Chalk up another win for big business," a statement from the group read. "The Birchwood Association is extremely disappointed with the decision and the burden remains on both Scannell and Amazon to not pollute the aquifer and mitigate all traffic impacts. The speed in which this project has been approved and blessed by a court is mind boggling and in our view, reckless." Others cheered the news. "This is great for Rensselaer County and the Town of Schodack, with the Amazon project set to create hundreds of new jobs and millions in investment in the Route 9 corridor," said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. "We believe this project will help attract other investment and job creation and help many more county residents work close to home and not be forced to leave the area to find employment." Read the full story in the Albany Times Union.