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Committee sets public hearing for Moraczewski Farm conservation easement and names Orange County Land Trust easement holder
Summary
The committee agreed to assume SEQRA lead agency status and set a May 20 public hearing for the proposed conservation easement over Moraczewski Farm in Warwick; the county will fund the Orange County Land Trust to hold the easement and retain third-party enforcement rights.
The Rules Committee voted to assume Lead Agency status under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the county's purchase of a conservation easement on Moraczewski Farm and scheduled a required public hearing for May 20, 2026 at 3:15 p.m. Mr. Thomas J. Faggione moved the SEQRA referral and Commissioner of Planning Alan J. Sorensen described the county's Open Space Fund and the county's intent to purchase development rights and place a conservation easement on the property.
Sorensen clarified the easement will be held solely by the Orange County Land Trust (OCLT), with the county providing funding and retaining a third-party right of enforcement and a right to proceed but not serving as co-holder of the easement. "The original resolution states that the county is the sole holder of the easement which is not the case," Sorensen said, explaining the revised language and the need to hold a public hearing to correct prior public notices and comply with statutory requirements.
