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Planning discussion: Jim’s Garden proposes single onion-packing building, questions on access and outbuildings
Summary
At a Town of Goshen planning update, residents and board members discussed an application by “Jim’s Garden” for a single onion-packing building, concerns about blocking an existing Pulaski Highway access, the condition of ancillary buildings, truck turning and road impacts, and water and waste handling.
Jim’s Garden returned to the planning agenda with a proposal to use one existing concrete-floored building for onion packing and to limit activity to that single structure, a speaker said during the meeting. The project would concentrate all vehicle access on Wisniewski Road and close off an existing access onto Pulaski Highway except for emergency use.
The discussion centered on three immediate local concerns: whether blocking the Pulaski access would leave trucks stopping in the roadway, the condition and future of small outbuildings on the site, and water/waste handling for packing operations. A participant asked that any gate used to block the Pulaski access be set back far enough to keep queued trucks off the highway.
Board members and attendees said the property already contains several small structures described during a drive-by as “sheds” in poor condition. One board member urged the planning board to ask the building inspector, Frank, to inspect those structures and, if unsafe, require demolition. The transcript records a view that the buildings appear hazardous to wildlife and trespassers and are not habitable.
Speakers noted the applicant said only the one building would be used and that packing would be limited to onions. The applicant reported no planned washing of produce; meeting remarks said the operation would be on well water and estimated about 15 employees. Participants asked how waste from packing would be handled; the transcript records that waste-handling specifics had not been discussed at earlier hearings.
On road impacts, speakers said the section of road used by trucks currently appears to be in good condition and that the highway superintendent had said it was adequate, but some were not certain how it would fare under sustained heavy truck traffic. One participant noted sightlines onto Pulaski Highway appeared acceptable now but warned the road might need improvement later if truck volumes increase.
The planning board was asked to confirm the applicant’s statements on access, parking layout and waste handling, and to have the building inspector inspect outbuildings for safety. No formal vote or permit decision is recorded in the transcript.
The planning board will have the application back before it; speakers asked staff to verify the access arrangement and to require clear documentation of water and waste plans before final approvals.
A list of speakers at the meeting discussed Jim’s Garden and related topics follows below.
