Community Feedback to Continue to Play Vital Role in Shaping Development
SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (July 14, 2022) – The Saugerties Town Board Wednesday night issued a “positive declaration” regarding Winston Farm, a transformative development planned on premium property adjacent to the New York State Thruway’s Exit 20. The positive declaration sets the stage for the next step of the municipal review process: public scoping, led by Town of Saugerties officials, which will define the items and studies to be included in the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.
Winston Farm proposes uses including tourism, entertainment, recreation, commercial/retail, technology, hospitality, housing and significant open space. The positive declaration is part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process.
Winston Farm’s ownership and its consultants anticipated the positive declaration, which prompts required environmental and technical studies before the project can advance.“We remain committed to closely collaborating with our community and Town of Saugerties leaders on the project’s details,” said project spokesman Josh Sommers.
Winston Farm, at 119 Augusta Savage Road, is best known for hosting the Woodstock ’94 music festival. It also has long been considered a desirable property due to its location, scale, topography and scenic views. These amenities led Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a nonprofit organization that promotes balanced and sustainable growth, to previously designate Winston Farm as the top prime development location in the Hudson Valley.
The public will have numerous opportunities to provide input during the SEQRA process. “Winston Farm’s commitment to collaboration is fueled by our respect for our community, the nature and character of this property and the potential to create a vibrant development,” Sommers said. “We eagerly embrace suggestions that help shape how our dynamic destination will amplify economic opportunity, pride and quality of life.”
Community input already has helped shape the project’s vision. For example, the developer has proposed expanding property buffers on the northern and western property borders to 125 feet to provide separation and privacy for neighboring homes and families. These swaths will protect that land from development. Other updates include:
- A neighborhood area with smaller lots, offering additional housing options and promoting home ownership in a community setting. Ulster County, like much of the Hudson Valley, has a strong demand for quality housing, but insufficient stock to meet the need. Residences also will include lots increasing up to more than 10 acres of land, broadening the appeal of the project to a breadth of incomes and housing preferences.
- The maximum development potential of each area of the property is now detailed in concept. Those visual, traffic and other impacts will be a basis for collaboratively formulating final visions for each area.
