Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves purchase agreement for 93-acre parcel; town to buy a 15-acre developable lot for future housing planning
Summary
The board approved a purchase-and-sale agreement with the Open Space Institute for roughly 93.5 acres, including a subdivision that would allow the town to acquire about 15.5 acres for potential housing; board members and residents debated water access, financing (preservation funds and a $250,000 federal grant), and future planning steps.
The Marbletown town board approved a purchase-and-sale agreement to acquire a 15.5-acre subdivided lot as part of a roughly 93.5-acre parcel being sold by the Open Space Institute (OSI). The transaction would leave the remaining acreage preserved and rely on a mix of town funds, preservation-fund money and an already-identified $250,000 federal grant OSI secured for the project.
Board discussion emphasized that the town's immediate acquisition is limited to the smaller subdivided lot; the resolution establishes the town's role in securing the land while future land use, design and infrastructure (most critically water availability) would be subject to planning-board review, public processes and possible partnerships with housing organizations.
Several board members stressed caution on sequencing and transparency. Members said that acquiring the 15-acre parcel is intended to preserve options and allow the town to pursue affordable housing opportunities in the future, while protecting the larger parcel as open space if development does not proceed. Concerns raised at the meeting included potential increases in local property values following prior OSI transactions, the need to ensure municipal water availability before any housing is approved, and the distinct roles of town versus county funding mechanisms.
Staff noted the town already has conversations under way with RUPCO and Habitat for Humanity as potential partners for future housing, and that additional state and county infrastructure grants (for water lines and related work) could be sought to make development feasible. The planning board must still review the subdivision and any future site plans; the town emphasized that no housing will be built until infrastructure, environmental and permitting conditions are satisfied.
The motion to approve the purchase passed in the meeting (recorded as a 4'to—1 vote in the public discussion). The board directed staff to continue coordinating with OSI, seek any required grant and planning approvals, and notify neighbors and the public as project steps advance.
