Mamakating – At 8:16 last night, four men moved the huge mushroom plant proposed for this eastern Sullivan County town a giant step closer to reality.
The Mamakating Zoning Board members voted to approve the four zoning variances needed to build the Yukiguni Maitake mushroom facility. They were Chairman Jim Barnett, Cliff Asdal, Andy Lewis and Bill Fedun. The lone dissenter was Fern Laks, who voted against the most controversial variances, for the height of the building that, with its utility structure, would stand up to 80 feet high.
If one of the men had joined her, the project that has raised howls of protest for nearly three years could have been stopped. Because the Sullivan County planning commissioner declined to approve it, a majority of at least four votes was needed.
The vote, in front of a standing room only crowd of more than 100, was greeted with jeers from the many plant critics and cheers from supporters, many of whom were union members.
The vote that came after cries of "sham" was actually to prepare resolutions for a future formal vote.
But supporters and critics viewed the outcome as a done deal.
"I'm really happy," said Charlie Bazydlo, lawyer for Yukiguni. "It's a significant hurdle."
"(The) Zoning Board squandered a unique opportunity to do the right thing for town residents," said Paula Medley, the president of the Basha Kill Area Association environmental group. Another member, Maryallison Farley, vowed to keep fighting the project.
Even though the plant couldn't be built without Zoning Board approval, the facility still has a ways to go before it gets a final green light. The Mamakating Planning Board must grant the plant site plan approval and a special use permit.
The facility that would span 5 acres just north of Wurtsboro on Route 209 must also meet conditions that came with the Planning Board's approval of its environmental impact statement, including more detailed elevation descriptions.
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