The project known as Newburgh Inn and Spa, located at 90 Route 17K, made an initial appearance March 7 for a proposed site plan with the installation of five electric vehicle charging stations. No determination was made at the Town of Newburgh Planning Board meeting.

Christian Spenziero of ChargeSmart EV presented Thursday night and made the board aware that Central Hudson and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have been awarded grants towards the project. Central Hudson is also being worked with to establish a new service to power the charging stations.

An MHE Engineering memo noted that adjoiner’s notices would be needed, the applicant should be in receipt of code compliance comments regarding violations and screening of the facility, and infrastructure should be addressed.

Planning Board members suggested the applicant repave the area of the site where stations are being proposed, as the lot is in poor condition, and also that the applicant gate off an access road that connects the site to other sites in the area such as Restaurant Depot. The access road area has become a reported dumping ground.

MHE also noted poor pavement conditions, parking spots not shown and debris and bumper blocks are on the site as well. Plans for the project would need to be submitted to the Orange County Planning Department, additional details regarding the removal of trees and brush should be provided and per town code, a 35 foot landscape buffer along Route 17K is required. A bulk table is also required and facility housekeeping should be evaluated.

MHE recommended that the Planning Board perform a field review of the site. Jim Campbell of Code Compliance and additional members were also curious about the spa component of the site. The site is recognized online as the Hudson Valley Hotel and Conference Center.