NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

ULSTER COUNTY

EIGHT-YEAR REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT NO. 3

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held pursuant to New York State Agricultural and Markets Law Section 303-a on the Eight-Year Review of Ulster County Agricultural District No. 3 on Tuesday, April 15 at 7:05 PM or as soon thereafter as the public may be heard. in the Legislative Chambers, Ulster County Office Building, 244 Fair St. Kingston, New York, 12402.

Review Process

Pursuant to Section 303-a of NYS Agriculture and Markets Law 25AA, the Ulster County Legislature is required to review any agricultural district created under this section eight years after the date of its creation and the end of every eight-year period thereafter. The review date for Agricultural District No. 3 is July 21, 2025.

Description of District

Agricultural District #3 covers western Ulster County.  It covers Hardenburgh, a town within Catskill Park.  Hardenburgh has mountain valleys with good soils.  Some of the mountain slopes host maple sugaring operations.  Agricultural District #3 also covers the Rondout Valley.  Good soils are found all along Rondout Creek at the lower elevations.  Indigenous inhabitants farmed this area, and farms still cover much of it today. Higher elevations also have many farms, and a number of new farms are located there.  The Rondout Valley has a variety of farm operations, especially field crops and vegetables, with some benefitting from agritourism and direct sales.   

Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board Recommendations

The Ulster County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board (AFPB), in its review of the District, noted the stability of agricultural use there and recommended it be continued with modifications.  The AFPB recommended the removal of one parcel totaling 15.91 acres from the District. Development is removing viable agricultural land on the property and there’s no connection to a commercial farming operation.

Availability of Documents/ Questions

A description of the process and the recommendation of the AFPB may be viewed by appointment in the County Planning Department office and on the County Planning Department website at https://ulstercountyny.gov/agricultural_district_3_review. Questions should be directed to Burt Samuelson at 845-339-2490 or via email at bsam[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us  

Comments

All parties and interested citizens will be heard by the Ulster County Legislature at this Public Hearing.  Farmers within the District are urged to comment on and participate in the identification of appropriate district boundaries. Written comments will be accepted at the public hearing or by mail and email no later than 5:00 P.M. on April 15, 2025 and should be directed to: 

Victoria Fabella, Clerk

Ulster County Legislature

244 Fair Street 

PO Box 1800

Kingston, NY 12402-1800

Email: vfab[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us                                                                                  

The Ulster County Legislature is committed to making its Public Meetings accessible to individuals with disabilities.  If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation or assistance to participate in the Public Hearing or to obtain a copy of the transcript of the Public Hearing in an alternative format in accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature at 340-3900.

                            Dated:  April 2, 2025                                         Victoria Fabella, Clerk

                Kingston, NY                                                      Ulster County Legislature