Developers outline Big Sky Farms plan for 47‑acre site, ask town for permits and infrastructure help

Developers of Big Sky Farms told the Goshen Town Board on May 28 they plan a three‑phase project on a 47‑acre property along 17M that would preserve an existing working farm while adding a 55+ planned community and a luxury hotel with event space. The applicant said the project is intended to increase municipal tax ratables without adding students to local schools and to include sustainable features such as solar and geothermal systems.

“Phase one, existing farm won't touch it,” the applicant said, describing repairs made to historic structures and saying the barn and milkhouse have been structurally stabilized. The presentation included renderings and a site plan with the hotel sited in the highway‑commercial zone and residential buildings in the RU zone at the rear of the property.

The planned adult community would total roughly 96 units across three three‑story buildings (about 32 units per building), with one‑ and two‑bedroom flats and penthouse units; unit sizes discussed ranged from about 1,300 to 1,700 square feet for lower units and about 2,200 square feet for penthouses. The presenters said clubhouse amenities, parking under buildings and accessible design were part of the concept.

The applicant emphasized infrastructure and regulatory items that require town action: a special permit for the planned adult community, formation of a water and sewer district or extension of an existing district, and dedication of a public road from 17M to the interior of the site. “As part of the pack requirements in your code it requires water and sewer district formation by the town either a formation or an extension of an existing district,” the engineer said.

On water supply, the developers said five well locations have been approved on the property, four of which have been drilled and currently produce “about 80,000+ gallons a day,” and that they expect to drill a fifth well to meet conservative estimates. The group also acknowledged the wastewater treatment plant is planned on site and would discharge toward the creek at the property’s low point unless a town connection could be found.

Developers argued the hotel and senior housing would support the local economy and address a perceived shortfall in event space and higher‑end lodging in the region. They cited county consultant material suggesting a need for larger event‑support hotels and said that, if built, hotel event space could host graduations and other gatherings that currently have limited capacity.

Board members and staff asked about unit pricing and construction costs; the applicant offered a broad market range (discussing $650,000–$900,000 price points but acknowledging final prices will depend on construction costs) and said they will pursue grants and state funding opportunities for water and sewer infrastructure. The applicant noted they had already adjusted the plan based on planning‑board comments and will return with a revised submission and permit requests.

The presentation closed with the applicant asking for town guidance on grant programs and confirming that planning‑board comments had been addressed; no formal action on permits or district formation took place at the meeting. The board thanked the presenters and indicated the matter will return for formal review and required municipal approvals.