Ulster County committee postpones vote on rail-with-trail policy for Undesignated U&D corridor

The Ulster County Legislature's Housing & Transportation Committee voted 5-2 to postpone consideration of Resolution 275, which would amend a 2014 county policy to allow a "rail with trail" along the undesignated section of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor.

The postponement motion followed more than an hour of debate over feasibility, environmental risk and process. Legislator Stewart urged delay so the legislature could receive reports from county planning and economic development, investigate possible land swaps to enlarge the Stony Hollow parcel offered as a compromise and commission an unbiased engineering study paid for by the county. "I would like to hear reports from planning and economic development. I would like to look into this land swap idea," said Legislator Stewart.

Why it matters: the undesignated section includes constrained segments — notably a 2,700-foot high-fill stretch at Stony Brook and a rock cut — that members and earlier consultant reports identified as difficult to widen without affecting wetlands. The committee's decision pauses any policy change while members seek more technical, legal and community information.

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