The prospect of a pair of warehouse buildings stretching 45 feet towards the sky at the entrance to the Village of Montgomery has some of its neighbors concerned.

KSH Route 211 Development is asking the Village of Montgomery Zoning Board of Appeals for a height variance to permit the construction of two warehouses off Chandler Lane, near Hoeffner Farms. Developers are seeking a height variance of 45 feet. Current zoning limits the height to 35 feet.

“We did not want people coming into the village and the first thing they see are warehouses,” said Don Berger at the June 27 Montgomery ZBA meeting. “All I’m suggesting to your guys is ‘do your homework’ on this one.”

Berger, last week, brought his concerns to the village board, where village trustees showed some empathy.
“They probably shouldn’t get the height variance,” Mayor Steve Brescia said, “but we don’t control what the ZBA decides.”

Berger urged village officials to “put their foot down” and say no.

“I’m going to be staring at an albatross for the rest of my life.” said another resident.

Village resident Katrina Tipton, speaking at the ZBA meeting, noted that since the warehouse is being built for speculative purposes, the 35-foot height limit should be sufficient.

“We don’t need the ratable of warehouses that some other communities do,” Tipton said.

The ZBA made no decision, but is expected to resume the conversation at its July 25 meeting.