Development of Woodstock '94 Site Triggers Community Debate

In 1994, the Winston Farm property in Saugerties, NY, made international headlines when it hosted the 25th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival, the so-called "middle child" to the festivals of 1969 and 1999.Over the years, several plans for the property were proposed that ultimately failed to come to fruition, including a community college, a casino, a landfill and incinerator and a high-tech business park.The latest plans for the property were presented during a meeting of the Saugerties Town Board earlier this month. The current proposal for the 840 acre project includes 799 housing units with a combination of townhouses and apartments, serving an estimated 1,746 residents. Also included in the plan would be 250,000-square-feet of commercial space, a 150-room boutique hotel, a conference center with a further 250 hotel rooms, a 5,000-seat enclosed performance space, a 100-cabin campground, and around 250,000-square-feet of laboratory or light industrial space.The developers say the proposal will grow the local economy and that it addressed concerns raised since their first draft plans were submitted nearly three years ago. Others say they feel differently.That includes Catskill Mountainkeeper, the environmental advocacy organization. They say the proposed development of  Winston Farms stands to jeopardize the health and safety of nearby residents.Catskill Mountainkeeper Senior Research Director Kathy Nolan appeared on Radio Chatskill with Tim Bruno. to discuss the proposed project.