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Ulster County refers proposed farmland inclusion back to committee after neighbor complaints
Summary
After residents raised concerns about odors, insects and proximity of livestock to homes during public comment, the Legislature voted unanimously to send Resolution 3-27, which would add land to agricultural districts, back to the Economic Development committee for further review.
Ulster County legislators voted July 15 to refer Resolution 3-27, a proposal to add parcels to county agricultural districts, back to the Economic Development committee after neighbors raised concerns at the public hearing.
Peter Hamblin, a resident who said his property borders the parcel at issue, told the Legislature he opposed adding parcel 98.2-1.17 to an agricultural district because it already contained five to seven horses though it remained zoned residential. Hamblin said the fencing was within about 10 feet of his property line and that his family had experienced foul odors, large numbers of flies, and concern about runoff contaminating a stream and wells. "We already experienced foul odors and abundance of insects on our property and inside our home," he said.
After public comment, Legislator Nolan moved to refer the resolution back to committee for further consideration so the committee could review the newly presented testimony; Legislator Kovacs seconded the motion. Kovacs described the intended purpose of farmland protection districts as protecting farmland from encroaching residential or commercial development and said the facts presented made further review appropriate.
The motion to refer the resolution back to the Economic Development committee was adopted unanimously, 23-0. The referral pauses floor consideration and asks the committee to examine the property, zoning, and neighbors' complaints before the matter returns to the full Legislature.
