AMD plans win approval
Company applauds Malta board vote, but decision on chip fab still pending
By TIM O’BRIEN, Staff writer
First published in print: Tuesday, August 26, 2008
MALTA — The Town Board approved plans Monday for the proposed Advanced Micro Devices Inc. computer chip factory, but the final decision on whether to build is still to come from the company.
The $3.2 billion manufacturing plant, known as Fab 4X, is slated for the Luther Forest Technology Park. The company, which is to receive $1.2 billion in state incentives, has until July to make a final decision.
Hector Ruiz, executive chairman of the company, will be in town Wednesday but is not expected to make any announcement then, said Steve Groseclose, director of global environmental, health and safety for AMD.
“What this does is give us the foundation to move forward, a rock solid foundation,” he said.
The Town Board voted 5-0 to change the planned development district rules established in 2004 and to accept a statement of findings for the project. Both moves basically clear the way for the project’s developer to proceed with its building plans.
Town Councilman Peter Klotz said the planned development district was designed in 2004 with a generic chip manufacturer in mind. It made sense to alter the plan to reflect AMD’s needs, he said.
“The intention was clear; to welcome appropriate projects,” he said.
The existing law allows for Luther Forest to house up to four chip fabs, each a maximum of 800,000 square feet. AMD plans to build up to three fabs, each a maximum of 980,000 square feet.
Carol Henry, chairwoman of the Luther Forest Community Response Board, said at a public hearing before the vote that several questions remained about traffic during construction, trucks delivering material during the night, and the use of Hermes Road during construction.
Carol Marotta, a member of the Stillwater Planning Board, said she wants construction traffic kept off local residential roads.
“We already have enough logging trucks, delivery trucks,” she said. “That’s very important for the quality of life of both our towns.”
AMD representatives said Hermes Road won’t be used during construction of the plant, but will be needed as access roads are built.
“For some limited amount of initial construction activities, some local roads would need to be used,” said John Munsey of C.T. Male Associates, an area engineering and architectural design firm working with AMD. “The roads would be constructed first and then the plant.”
Town Supervisor Paul Sausville said the company is not forbidden from nighttime deliveries but “certainly we would encourage nighttime deliveries that are not noisy.”
Munsey said such deliveries will not occur regularly.
Other council members said they see the plant as a chance to keep residents from moving elsewhere for high-paying jobs.
“This is a tremendous day for Malta, the people who live here and our children who won’t have to move away from here to get jobs,” said Councilwoman Sue Nolen.
Her colleague Tara Thomas agreed.
“I have seen many of my childhood friends move away,” she said. “I want better opportunities for our children and our residents.”
Henry of the Luther Forest Community Response Board said she was not surprised by the decision to approve the findings.
“We’ll continue to work with the board and AMD to make sure what’s written into all the documents is enforced and followed,” she said.
Tim O’Brien can be reached at 454-5092 or by e-mail at tobrien@timesunion.com.
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