Challenge in Crawford

Farmhood Fields submits 260-page request to state Agricultural and Markets Department

By Connor Linskey
Posted 11/26/19

Farmhood Fields, a proposed farm-to-table living community on Crans Mill Road, is challenging the Town of Crawford’s scenic-corridor overlay district regulations, which protect views of the …

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Challenge in Crawford

Farmhood Fields submits 260-page request to state Agricultural and Markets Department

Posted

Farmhood Fields, a proposed farm-to-table living community on Crans Mill Road, is challenging the Town of Crawford’s scenic-corridor overlay district regulations, which protect views of the Shawangunk Ridge from Route 302.

The town’s building inspector, John Calaca issued stop-work orders and violations in September and October because the barn on the Farmhood Fields property was being constructed without proper permits. He also noted on Oct. 31 that a feed bunk used to store food and feed more than 500 cows and calves was being used as a stable. In compliance with the town code, Calaca ordered that the feed bunk be moved 150 feet away from the neighboring property. Currently, it sits about 65 feet from the property.

Farmhood Fields has sued the Town of Crawford at the State Supreme Court in Goshen, claiming that they do not need building permits, site plan approval or to cooperate with special zoning laws. They have submitted a 260-page request to the state Agricultural and Markets Department, asking them to review and determine if the town’s code, which requires planning board approval for structural changes and additions near town roads overlooking the Shawangunk Mountains, is lawful.

The property of about 660 acres is attempting to be developed as a farm-to-table living community, with about 30 to 35 luxury homes. Corny Cattle Farm would make up the bulk of Farmhood Fields, along with several other properties.

On Thursday night, the Crawford Town Board had a special joint meeting with the planning board regarding the construction projects at Farmhood Fields.

“The town board and the planning board are in support of the project as presented,” said Crawford Town Supervisor Charles Carnes. “As far as any violations or anything, it’s been referred to legal. There’s nothing that we can do at this point until it works its way through the legal system.”