West Endicott residents upset over proposed new industry

7/11/2012 (Updated 11:26:08 PM)

(Source: Travis Eldridge)

ENDICOTT -- Resident of the quiet neighborhood on Maple Street in Endicott is scared it won't be that way for much longer.

"The equity of our homes is going to go down to nothing when this company tries to go in here," said Sean King, a Maple Street resident.

The company he's referring to is National Pipe and Plastics, which is the fifth largest PVC pipe producing company in North America, and is currently located in Vestal.  However, growing demand and expansion is forcing the company to move to a new location.

One consideration is this former Endicott-Johnson Factory in West Endicott, where the company would build large storage silos and create a bigger factory. That land though, is just steps away from a residential neighborhood.

"Nobody has been talking about the big picture of a major industry coming down here," said Endicott resident Gary King.  "I've been over to Vestal and looked at their storage over there, it's an eyesore, it's a pig pen and that's what they're going to do down here and I'm very concerned with that."

But this parcel of land is no stranger to industry, having last been used by a Shop-Vac Plant in 2008.  Natural Pipe and Plastics owner Dave Culbertson even said his company will be an easier tenant to live with than previous ones.

"When we get there, we're probably going to have about 15 trucks a day over 15 hours a day," said Culbertson.  "So maybe like 1 truck an hour, nowhere near what EJ used to have."

Plus, the land is zoned for industry, and has been for generations.

"They do live next to a piece of property that has been zoned for industrial uses for the better part of 60 years," said Town of Union Planning Director Paul Nelson.  "Under the law the applicant has the ability to build within the zoning requirements."

The town planning board can impose conditions such as building a barrier between the houses and the new factory.  However that isn't going to cool the emotions of people here.

"They really need to pay attention to the people, we do not want you here," said Sean King.

A feeling represented well by the petition started this afternoon, the start of a long battle for these residents.