| SIGN THE PETITION TO PROTECT THE RIDGE HERE SEE BELOW for February 6th UPDATE ATTEND the February 11th Town Planning Board Meeting at Town Hall! Please send in your comments by Tuesday at 12pm to planningzoning@townofulster.ny.gov & cc: our Town Clerk sreavy@townofulster.ny.gov There are currently a few projects working their way through our town Planning Board and Town Board. Read the recent Daily Freeman article here. They are: 1. Whitestone Development Partners has proposed a 298-Unit Multi-Family Housing Development above Adams Fairacre Farms, potentially adding 600 more cars to an already clogged intersection. These will be luxury homes, not workforce, or lower income housing units. Plus, the 1890’s white neo-classical mansion on the hill is landmark-worthy but is slated to be demolished in this plan. It was the former home of two former Kingston mayors and one NY State senator and was the former Wolf Rock Hall Hotel in the early 19th century – a respite for travelers through the region. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY HERE 2. Lightstar Renewables is proposing a solar farm just north of Adams, on that same ridge. They plan to clear cut 24 acres of forest to build this solar farm; a project that will threaten endangered species and wildlife (eagles nests nearby), compromise wetlands. They have also verified that the land contains arrowheads – which may indicate other archeological findings. (There is an approved 100-room hotel already approved to be built across from Adams by the railroad tracks between Optum and Tractor Supply, that will add even MORE cars to that same intersection). |
If these projects get approved, the ridge behind Adams will be destroyed. If the Town adds 298 housing units, ingressing and egressing at the traffic light by Adams, can you imagine the traffic snarls we will have to endure? And, cutting down trees while increasing traffic is exactly the opposite of what we should be doing!
On January 16th, we’ll present this petition to the Town of Ulster Board as they consider approving a solar array off Tuytenbridge Road and above Adams Fair Acre Farms on 9W. This project will decimate our wildlife, threaten eagle’s nests, and fell a 26-acre forest that will take a century to grow back!
We support solar energy and low-cost housing, but this is not the site for either of these projects. Even our 2007 Town Comprehensive Plan warns about “inappropriate development” on this very ridge!
If these projects get approved, our town’s history will be obliterated, and traffic on 9W will be snarled for miles!
Please speak up to oppose the solar farm and ask that the town study the cumulative impacts of also having the luxury townhomes on that ridge. You can do so by signing the petition, attending the meeting on January 16th at 7pm at Town Hall in Lake Katrine, or by sending in your own comments to the Town Clerk, Suzanne Reavy at sreavy@townofulster.ny.gov.
Comments will be read at the meeting.
SIGN THE PETITION TO PROTECT THE RIDGE HERE
Or tune into the Livestream here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Town-of-Ulster-Town-Clerk/100064626674802/?v=timeline
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UPDATE 2/6/25:
“COUNTY LOGS MAJOR CONCERNS OVER 9W RIDGE PROJECTS”
County recommendations for the Lightstar Solar Farm
County suggested moratorium on solar farms
County recommendations for Whitestone Developer Housing
The following is summary of the January 8th meeting, provided by the Glenerie Lake Park Improvement Association and Esopus Creek Neighbors…
Members of GLPIA and Town of Ulster Citizens attended the Ulster County Planning Board on January 8th to voice concerns about the 9W Multifamily Townhome Development and the Lightstar Renewables (Solar Farm) projects proposed for the 9W Ridge.
Prior to opening the floor for public comment, it was explained that the Ulster County Planning Board cannot directly “tell” the Town of Ulster Planning Board what to do with proposed new development projects, but could provide recommendations and advice on land use planning matters, which the Town of Ulster Planning Board must consider before making a final decision, especially if the development project impacts areas near municipal boundaries or has regional implications.
The Ulster County Planning Board acts in an advisory capacity only, offering expertise and insights on broader regional planning issues that may affect local decisions. Note: NY State laws often requires the local town planning boards to refer certain development proposals, especially those near municipal boundaries, to the County Planning Board for review and comment before taking final action. Ultimately, the Town of Ulster Planning Board has the final decision-making power regarding land use within its jurisdiction.
Five citizens voiced concerns with these proposed projects from environmental, archaeological, historical, traffic, and resident quality of life perspectives and our voices were heard! Both projects received thoughtful discussion with many members using our specific comments to frame their questions.
NEXT STEPS: The Ulster County Planning Board will provide recommendations and advice to the Town of Ulster Board on both projects. Here’s a summary of some of the County Board’s many concerns with the projects:
9W Multifamily Development:
- Design issues need to be resolved to ensure reasonable traffic flow on 9W
- Storm Water Prevention Pollution Plan (SWPPP) needs to be integrated with the proposed Lightstar Renewables Solar Farm project to determine full impact
- NYS code requires 26’ wide access roads and due to the number of units (298), the development will probably require two roads
- Need DOT clearance for the planned access road (by Aqua Pools) and the 15% grade is probably too steep for emergency service vehicles, snow management, etc. A sign off from the local fire department should be secured.
- Need a visual impact study on the 4-story units proposed and whether they are visible on the ridgeline
- The feasibility of the Grant Avenue extension outlined in the 9W Mobility Study should be explored as an entrance and exit to the housing development Note: this would require that QuickCheck remove its carwash which was stipulated in their approved site plan
- Impacts on endangered species and archaeological finds need to be verified
- A letter from the school system should be secured to ensure capacity and bus stop locations
- Compliance with the Town of Ulster’s Comprehensive Plan regarding protecting this ridgeline should be recommended
- Need State Historical Preservation Office info on the mansion on the hill and whether it is eligible for landmarking
- Recommend that the Town has a standard for affordable housing
Lightstar Renewables (Solar Farm)
- 24-acres for a solar farm will have a significant impact on the community. The Town of Ulster needs to add a solar law to its comprehensive plan with a cap on the acreage allowed (a 10-acre cap was suggested)
- A conservation easement is needed to protect the ridges
- Need a visual impact study (from the Kingston airport, the Rhinecliff bridge, and the proposed 9W Multifamily Development, etc.)
- Need a glare analysis
- Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)needs to be integrated with the proposed 9W housing project to determine full impact
- Need State Historical Preservation Office info on whether the site has historical significance
Finally, it was unanimous. All of the members of the County Planning Board voted to send a letter to the Town of Ulster Planning Board urging a moratorium on solar farms until a new comprehensive plan is written.
Once again, if you haven’t signed the petition, you can sign here: http://www.tinyurl.com/protecttheridge and it will be presented to the Town of Ulster Town Board. Otherwise please send your comments to the town clerk here: sreavy@townofulster.ny.gov if you are unable to attend the January 16th Public Hearing at Town Hall, and they will be read out loud at the meeting. p.s. They will also be live streaming from the Town of Ulster Facebook page at 7pm but we still recommend that you send in your comments beforehand since they will not call on you.
County recommendations for the Lightstar Solar Farm
County suggested moratorium on solar farms
County recommendations for Whitestone Developer Housing
ATTEND the February 11th
Town Planning Board Meeting at Town Hall
Please send in your comments by Tuesday at 12pm to
planningzoning@townofulster.ny.gov & cc: our Town Clerk sreavy@townofulster.ny.gov
HERE ARE OFFICIAL STATEMENTS FROM TOWN OF ULSTER CITIZENS:
December 10 to the Town of Ulster Planning Board – TOUC:
January 8th to the Ulster County Planning Board – Laura Hartmann:
January 8th to the Ulster County Planning Board – Regis Obijiski: