Dear Chair Joyner and Planning Board Members,

We, the undersigned, write with urgency to oppose the proposed industrial expansion by A. Colarusso and Sons at the Hudson waterfront. We respectfully urge the Planning Board to either reject the dock permit application or impose strict, enforceable conditions. This is not merely a gravel operation—it threatens one of our community’s most vital and cherished assets: the waterfront and its adjacent public park.

Over the past two decades, the Hudson waterfront has become a vibrant center of culture, commerce, and recreation, next to the third-busiest Amtrak station in New York. It supports dozens of successful businesses—including Basilica Hudson, Kitty’s, The Caboose, Grapefruit Wines, The Wick Hotel, and numerous antiques stores—and attracts thousands of visitors annually. Planned developments like the former Kaz site and Dunn Warehouse promise even more community benefit but are now at risk.

This revitalized, green waterfront—home to public festivals, pollinator gardens, family activities, fishing, and boating clubs—stands in stark contrast to heavy industrial activity: gravel trucks, diesel fumes, silica-laden stone dust, and noise and light pollution. Industrial expansion such as tripling (or more) 80,000 lb. truck traffic jeopardizes public health, endangers pedestrians, threatens public green space, risks irreversible environmental harm, and undermines Hudson’s economic and environmental progress.

In light of these concerns, we implore the Planning Board to:

• Limit expansion by setting clear caps on annual and daily truck trips, and operational days & hours;
  
• Re-open the Colarusso Conditional Use Permit public hearing
  to ensure full citizen input in accordance to NY Open
  Meetings Law;
  
• Conduct a careful review of the dock permit under the
  City Zoning Code, and impose comprehensive and impactful conditions;
  
• Require the applicant to fully address all public and board concerns before closing public hearing; and
  
• Guarantee transparent and inclusive public participation at every stage.

Industrial growth should never come at the cost of our community’s health or the environment. Now is the time to act—to protect our waterfront and preserve our shared future.

We call on everyone who cares about the City of Hudson waterfront and our quality of life— including the Planning Board, the Common Council, the Mayor, and Supervisors—to stand with the people of Hudson in protecting our waterfront.

Thank you for your attention and leadership.

Sincerely,