UTICA - In Fall of 2007, the Whitestown Planning Board gave preliminary approval for a gas station to be built at the corner of Halsey Road and Judd Road. A nearby farm is concerned with the impact the proposed station could have on its land.

The land has served as an organic farm growing garlic for years. Over the last nine years Whitestown has been working on developing the area - which has increased traffic and business, but Harts Hill Farm says it has seen the downside of development.

"The water flow, because they stripped the land of vegetation, all the water on the property because there are two streams on the east and west side, it falls falls down to our organic farm," said Kent Roberts of the farm.

Utica's Department of Environmental Conservation says gas stations are considered hot spots, as they if not properly maintained can become major polluters.

The Roberts say their concerns were pretty much ignored by the Town of Whitestown, and the environmental risks of putting in a gas station near there are simply too great.

Officials from the Town planning Board in Whitestown disagree.

"Over two years of public hearings the Roberts have given their input in the process and what we've required is what is well above what other gas stations use to protect against spills and those types of moves," said Steven Cox, Chairman of the Whitstown Planning Board.

The DEC says its currently working with the developer and engineer of the site to come up with a storm water drainage system that will protect the environment.

The Roberts say their organic farm is tested annually. If their land is polluted they face thousands of dollars in fines, and would be forced to shut down the farm for three years.