Opponents of Amazon Project Win Appeal
As Judge Upholds ZBA Height Permit Denial
GOSHEN, NY—The developer of the giant Amazon fulfillment center in Slate Hill in Orange County suffered a setback in court last month in its attempt to move forward with the project.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Maria Vazquez-Doles upheld the Wawayanda Zoning Board of Appeals denial last June of a needed height variance sought by developer Scannell Properties, which has filed a notice of appeal of the justice’s ruling issued on Dec. 2, News 12 reports. Scannell later applied for and secured a height exemption and site plan approval from the Wawayanda Planning Board.
The project is saddled with litigation in connection with its secured approvals, but also enjoys approximately $80 million in incentives, including a 15-year PILOT, granted by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency.
State-appointed IDA monitor Brian Sanvidge issued a “Notice of Violation” thus vetoing the IDA vote on the incentives in late November. The IDA responded on Dec. 15 calling on the State Inspector General to remove the monitor due to his “unlawful” veto.
The project is valued at approximately $607 million and has drawn the support of the Hudson Valley Building & Construction Trades Council.
By John Jordan
Published: January 6, 2026