Blooming Hill Farm, a proposed farm to table restaurant project with additional land used for agricultural purposes, returned before the New Windsor Planning Board on Wednesday, July 10. The project now proposes additional land to be used for the creation of luxury outdoor accommodations.

The project first came before the planning board in September 2023 with a development proposal on a 187 acre apple orchard previously owned by Robert Minard. The property is located on Shaw Road east of New Windsor. Blooming Hill Farm sought to move their operations from Blooming Grove to New Windsor.

An informal public hearing session held in June 2022 collected initial public comments and feedback. A filled town courtroom had many neighbors and residents supporting the idea and project overall to be brought to New Windsor. The New Windsor Town Board in October 2022 approved a local code amendment with an addition to the residential zone adding agro-tourism to the permitted uses.

The previous application before the planning board was for the restaurant and wedding venue with the farmland. The new application now adds 77 proposed tents for short term stays and the tents would be provided by Under Canvas, an upscale, outdoor hospitality company.

Lanc & Tully Engineer John Queenan appeared Wednesday night discussing with the board that two lots are now owned by the farm and the next steps would be to consolidate the two lots into one. The original application for Blooming Hill Farm remains the same with the new additional tents area.

The new outdoor area would feature a reception area, communal food services, fire pits with additional tents, 50 to 75 feet apart, spread throughout the property, Queenan explained. These new tents and facilities would be made available for the general public and larger parties for events at the venue.

Motions were not made on the project but it is expected to be back before the planning board at one of their next meetings in August.