The Crawford Planning Board held a public hearing on Oct. 29 for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and preliminary subdivision plot of Farmhood Fields, where several residents and members of the town board weighed in on the project.

The approximately 600-acre agricultural community would incorporate farmland and forest with 31 single-family homes on 2.5 acre lots. Members of the community would buy into the farm, selling agricultural products off-site.

The project is bounded by Crans Mills Road, NYS Route 302 and County Road 48. The area of disturbance would be 62 acres, according to the DEIS. Once completed, the project won’t be a significant traffic generator.

Eighteen lots sit within the Scenic Corridor District, however due to half of the site being maintained in its existing state, the proposed plans will not destroy the overall character of the site, diminish the public enjoyment of the site or be a detriment to the rural character of the surrounding areas, according to the DEIS. Existing trees will also remain to keep the remaining viewshed intact as much as possible.

Waivers for a private road serving more than four lots is required for the private road construction. The planning board said they have made no decision on whether to grant the waiver or not.

The project has remained at 32 lots. Zeke Alenick, owner and developer has agreed to stay at 32 lots, town board member Daniel Flanick said.

Town resident David Galalis said the board should require an agricultural conservation easement to preserve the farmland and protect the rural character of the town.

“I think that we’re deluding ourselves if we think that over time it’s not going to inevitably become 31, 35, 40, 45, 50 homes until that 225 acre-farm has been reduced to perhaps a very nice vegetable garden,” Galalis said.

Town attorney Ben Gailey said the only way to completely ensure that the land will never be further developed is to create a written statement that says so. So far, an agricultural easement hasn’t been signed nor has any similar document been drafted, but the project hasn’t been approved yet and a document could be signed before then.

Town Supervisor Charles Carnes countered that there are several farms in the town that are protected by agricultural easements and the town has preserved a lot of farmland.

Flanick said he supported the project, stating it won’t introduce many children into the schools and it will expand the tax base for the town. The DEIS concluded the project has the potential to generate about 27 new students, less than one percent of the approximate 5,000 students enrolled in the Pine Bush School District.

Flanick said the town board has listened to the public’s comments and are incorporating them into the project as best they can.

“We’re doing everything we can to make sure that this is legitimate, and we’ve been out there. We’ve walked the property time and time again when the complaints came in and all that I’ve seen out there is first class work,” Flanick said.

Town resident Ellen Rogan expressed concern that regulations on the project will not be followed, referencing the regulations surrounding the Indiana Bat and the Northern Long-Eared Bat. Located within or near known habitats for the bats, the DEIS states the project can only clear-cut trees between Nov.1 and March 31.

“The cutting of trees that are in that environment: it’s only supposed to be done between November and March. It’s only supposed to be done ten acres at a time. Who’s gonna enforce it?” Rogan said.

Gailey said the town and the DEC are responsible for enforcing the regulations surrounding the Indiana and Northern Long-Eared bats.

Alenick said he hopes to have the project approved as soon as possible. He said any development on his property has been to build farm roads, connecting different portions of the large property.

Alenick will submit a final Environmental Impact Statement following the DEIS and submit it to the board for final review.

The oral portion of the public hearing was closed, but residents may submit written comments and questions regarding the project to the planning board before Nov. 14.