Red Dee Ridge Farm seeks special-use permit for banquet hall and agritourism; board opens coordinated review and schedules hearing

Danni Therrien and Grant Palmer presented a special‑use permit application to operate a banquet hall and agritourism lodging at Red Dee Ridge Farm (482 Stairs Road), a generational farm of approximately 137.2 acres. The applicants proposed phased lodging (existing two‑bedroom cabin, a proposed cabin, 12 sleeping cabins and 4 RV sites), a 12x40 bath building, and an initial event schedule of one multi‑day event per week with maximum guest counts up to 200 and weekend hours to 11:00 p.m.

The board reviewed the zoning special criteria for banquet halls (hours, setbacks, parking ratios, and waste-screening requirements). Planning staff and the applicant discussed site‑plan checklist items: contour maps, a NYSDEC freshwater wetlands Jurisdictional Determination (JD) because on‑site disturbance is proposed, septic and well plans, a SWPPP if land disturbance exceeds thresholds, and coordination with NYSDOT and the fire department for driveway and traffic concerns. "The project will help promote Agritourism within the county," Ms. Therrien said, noting the owners plan to enroll in the county agricultural district and that the farm participated in local Farm‑to‑Table events.

The board unanimously voted to refer the application to the Fulton County Planning Board for a 239‑m review (Oct. 21, 2025 meeting), to send Agricultural Data Statements to neighboring owners within 500 feet, and to classify the application as an Unlisted Action under SEQRA (adding the State Historic Preservation Office to the involved-agency list). A public hearing was scheduled for October 6, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.