Fallsburg residents voiced strong opposition to proposed zoning changes at a packed January 21 Town Board meeting. The amendments would allow higher housing density in agricultural zones, raising concerns about water, sewer infrastructure, and environmental impact.
Brett Budde, a Fallsburg resident and Majestic Farm owner, warned, “This summer, my well went dry. If we don’t address these issues, our homes will lose value.” Others echoed fears of overdevelopment, pointing to ongoing infrastructure struggles.
The changes stem from concerns that current zoning laws may violate the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), which protects religious institutions from restrictive zoning. While some residents, like Joel Brewer, argued the amendments correct past discrimination, opponents fear they will accelerate large-scale development.
Former councilmember Rebecca Pratt criticized the town’s handling of the hearing, urging an extended public comment period. Supervisor Michael Bensimon said the board would keep the hearing open until February 4 for further input. An additional public hearing is scheduled for February 4 at 6 p.m. at Fallsburg Town Hall.
With 13 active construction projects and 21 more under review, Fallsburg faces mounting pressure over land use. Environmental groups, including Catskill Mountainkeeper, warn of costly infrastructure upgrades, while residents like Pam Wagner argue the town must preserve its rural character.
Fallsburg has submitted the amendments for Sullivan County review and awaits further recommendations.
Photo by: Patricio Robayo
Overdevelopment of our town will lead to extra costs for current residents for new wells, garbage disposal, and more traffic. The rights of all residents to live the life they are looking for,in a rural non congested areas.a,should be respected, not just the rights of certain groups.
I agree. the beautiful peaceful areas in Sullivan County are getting overrun by development. We need to preserve our countryside setting. We are loosing our privacy and beautiful lands.
They’re turning our area into a slum. We already have too many bungalows, many are filthy over run with trash and debris. Rats and other creatures are always around. These individuals are also throwing trash in our waterways. The building on rural land must be capped.
Unfortunately , the ship has already sailed on this issue. Being a FORMER town of Fallsburg resident since I was little. I watched bungalow colony after bungalow colony be sold and fall into disrepair and the town did nothing. Then there came fire after fire and then “multi family units” were put up which command 1/2 the regular property tax. Then to alievate the tax burden a religious building was put up and then became tax exempt. The town board should have put a restriction on this in the mid 90’s . Now, there a high fences put up where No one can see behind them and building are being built without permits and the town sits by and does nothing. So ,trying to fix this now is a little late.
Our town government does not care about the families who have lived here for generations. Our taxes have substantially increased this year and we were advised it was due to the property value going up. With so many of these developments becoming exempt is the burden of the taxes pushed on to the remaining residents? Our environment and resources are so overwhelmed. When will it end!! The permanent residents are being forced to leave. Is that what our government wants? Please put a building moratorium on NOW!!
Exactly
Our town government does not care about the families who have lived here for generations. Our community is becoming so overwhelmed with these huge developments. The environmental resources and wildlife have been completely stressed by this crisis. When will it end? When everything is destroyed!! Our taxes substantially increased this year and we were advised that it was due to the property value increased. Is this due to the fact that many of the developments become tax exempt?? Do we have to cover the tax burden for the exemption properties? It’s pushing our permanent residents out. We need a moratorium now!!
Start a petition to get it overturned and get everyone to sign it. Then go to the legislators and force them to change the laws.
Or start a class action lawsuit against the town and the religious organization. If you don’t start standing up you are not only going to lose your properties but you’re going to lose all the water . they’re building barracks’s to live in they think that this is Brooklyn and it’s city water.
I think they pay off people to get what they want or probably threaten them. Or just wear them down till they give in. None of the politicians have a backbone. You have many avenues to go but by going to public hearings it seems like we’re all getting nowhere fast.
I can’t believe that they’re selling their souls and our properties of our beautiful pristine areas to child molesters drug pushers that smoke and Gamble. that hide and stand behind their religious beliefs. Now I find that funny. They have no respect for their wives or their children especially the women. It is a total disgrace how they are destroying our area. I sit back and I laugh at this point because it’s so far gone unless you all get up and stand up together it’s never going to work.
The town infrastructure is beyond capacity as it is and there are already additional developments in the works which are going to overburden our existing resources. This is not about discrimination. For myself we had to go through rigorous meetings and aquire variances to even build a house here yet other pop up construction sites are not given the same scrutiny. Most of the times it seems the town bends to one party and not another. If anything it’s reverse discrimination. Rules needs to be followed by everyone. Now there is a proposal to change our area from agriculture to residential which will increase taxes, again. And open up land reserved for farming to develop more complexes. If the goal is to drive out every one this town is supposed to care about then they are doing a great job!
Our area zoning was changed to agricultural just a few years ago to STOP this very thing.
I had to jump through hoops and spend $$$ to put a house on a piece of property that was residential when I bought it 30 years ago because the zoning changed (NO grandfather clause).
Now that there were new buildings put up in our area WITHOUT a permit, WITHOUT inspections of any kind and NO approvals. We are to change the zoning so the people that put up the buildings ILLEGALLY can use them????? Like REALLY?
We, the local residents that have been here for years; born and raised here or been here for generations, are the ones being discriminated against. The infrastructure in the area can not handle the burden it has now, let alone more!! Our government officials need to do the right thing for us!
AMEN
My concern is the traffic. These roads are not made for all the traffic with more population. Also my taxes, will this make a increase in taxes? My biggest concern is our wells. Will this be a problem. Will our wells dry up? Will our water pressure be compromised? Will our water be contaminated? Are these developments being built using septic tanks and leach fields? If so, are they using the correct size septic tanks to acomdate the amount of people that will be living in this area? I think not on all my questions. I only experienced that there was no inspections on any of the buildings or septic systems. I really love my home and I feel I will eventually be paying more taxes and get less. This is not fair to Me and My Family.
The changes are not consistent with the Town adopted comprehensive plan: https://www.townoffallsburg.com/DocumentCenter/View/1507/Master_2018_Comp_Plan?bidId=
Zoning must be consistent with it. It is illegal to allow high density housing where it is not recommended by the adopted plan. You would have to change the plan, and do an environmental review of the plan. BTW, where is the environmental impact statement examining the impacts of adding high density housing to the zoning?