The New Windsor Town Board is considering a temporary moratorium on new warehouses, self-storage facilities and distribution centers as officials work to update the town’s comprehensive plan.

The proposed local law would bar the review or approval of new warehouse, self-storage and distribution center projects once it takes effect, with limited exceptions. Projects that had already received final approval before the moratorium’s effective date would be allowed to proceed. The law would also exempt the area around New York Stewart International Airport, known as the AP zone.

The Town Board first discussed the moratorium at a work session on June 29. The New Windsor Planning Board reviewed the proposal at its meeting July 8 and voiced support for it.

Town Supervisor Stephen Bedetti said the push for a moratorium reflects frustration among residents and officials over the proliferation of storage facilities in town.

“People are, as well as I am, tired of seeing every corner they turn is a storage unit place,” Bedetti said. “And we have a number of vacant warehouse buildings in town already, I don’t need to have them build more.”

The moratorium proposal comes as the town prepares to update its comprehensive plan. Bedetti said the update will not address the entire plan but will likely include zoning changes, including provisions related to short-term rentals, mixed-use projects and warehouses.

“It’s time to evaluate some of the properties in town to really see what fits and what would be the best and highest use for that piece of property,” he said.

Bedetti said the AP zone near Stewart Airport was excluded from the moratorium because the town has a prospective developer with warehousing experience interested in purchasing and developing land there.

“We don’t want to see the applicant that’s looking to buy property out there to run because we have a moratorium that’s going to push them out,” Bedetti said. “The board feels that the AP zone is adequate enough for them to build something like that just in that particular zone.”

He added that the board does not plan to change the zoning of that area as part of the comprehensive plan update.

If adopted, the moratorium would last six months and could be extended by the Town Board. Bedetti said he expects the moratorium to remain in place until the comprehensive plan update is complete, though he did not offer a specific timeline.

“I want to get it done quick, I don’t want to discourage people from coming to New Windsor,” he said. “And this master comprehensive plan update ... that’s going to be done in parallel with the moratorium.”

Bedetti encouraged residents to reach out to the Town Board with input on the town’s future and the comprehensive plan update.

“My greatest asset is my taxpayers, the eyes and ears and their comments,” he said. “I want to hear from them. If people want to call me and give me some input, I would love to hear it.”

A public hearing on the proposed law is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. at New Windsor Town Hall.