NG Advantage Loses Zoning Vote for Virtual Pipe Near Binghamton

MDN reported on a heated meeting several weeks ago near our home base. The Town of Fenton Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) met to hear arguments against a zoning decision that would allow a proposed virtual pipeline/compressor station from NG Advantage to be zoned as a trucking/freight facility (see NG Advantage Virtual Pipe Hearing in Fenton an Eye-Opener for MDN). We won't rehash the entire history of this facility and its quest to get built (see our NG Advantage stories here). In brief, after a local court forced NG to reapply for a permit to build the plant, as part of the process NG sought to be recognized as a trucking/freight facility, which is an allowed use for the piece of real estate where they want to build the plant. Local residents, including a local school district which is adamantly opposed to the project, appeared before the ZBA several weeks ago to argue the facility is more than a simple truck/freight facility. It's also a compressor station that does not conform to the existing ordinance. The ZBA voted Tuesday night and agreed with those opposing the project. In a close 3-2 vote, the ZBA said the facility does not qualify under current land use regulations. So what happens now? NG can do one of three things: (1) appeal the ZBA decision in court, (2) ask the Fenton Town Board to reclassify the land where they want to build--essentially override the local zoning ordinance, or (3) look someplace else. Which option will NG choose?...

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