As a member of the Huckleberry Preservation Committee, I applaud the actions by the Town of Plattekill to fight the possible siting of a county landfill in Plattekill, by hiring external legal representation.  (See Rick Remsnyder’s Article in Vol. 20 No. 15 SUT April 13-19, 2023)  We also want to preserve the beauty and charm of Plattekill by fighting another problematic business: the proposed Red Cedar Ridge “glamping” resort at 501 Huckleberry Turnpike.

We urge the Planning Board to listen to and carefully consider the strong case we have presented against this 30 house short-term rental development.  Our lawyer, Emily Svenson (Gordon & Svenson LLP) emphasized to the TPB how the proposed site needs thorough environmental and archaeological investigation. Since the developers say they are limiting the scope to thirty houses, she suggested that the remaining land be preserved with a conservation easement.  The RCR application is incomplete, stating that there are zero Native American remains on the site and that there was only wildlife such as deer, black rat snakes and squirrels.  “Scenic Hudson”, several Native American Chiefs and several archaeologists disagree. Noise, environmental degradation, traffic, lowering of property values, danger of forest fires, and insecurity are just a few additional issues. “Glamping” and short-term rentals did not exist in 2002 when the Plattekill Master Plan was written.  Neighboring Towns are  already struggling with similar short-term rental and glamping problems that we should avoid.  

The Town, in their description of the unique M3 Mountain Zone, says that “ This district is intended to protect the character of the Town’s mountain ridge and associated land areas possessing environmental limitations and special features”. The issuance of a Special Use Permit is discretionary. The Town cannot issue the permit and honor their commitment to preserve the ridge.

We hope the Town Planning Board will see that the Red Cedar Ridge development is undesirable, just like they see the landfill would be, and that they have the power to deny and limit the applicants, for the benefit of Huckleberry Turnpike and Plattekill.