Woodstock [Farm] Festival Is On

This article appeared in the May 15, 2008 edition of the Townsman

Woodstock Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, May 8 2008

Despite fireworks exploding at the Woodstock Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting held on May 8, it appears the farmers market is back on track for its May 28 opening in the Houst parking lot with additional attractions located across Maple Lane on Mower’s Field.

It was expected prior the ZBA meeting that town officials and market representatives would agree to a stipulation that addressed the ZBA’s concern with traffic control during the event and resolve the bureaucratic snafus impeding the market. A unanimous decision of the ZBA, however, found the traffic plan provided them to be inadequate, and the stipulation was not signed. Seconds after the vote was taken market representative, attorney Dick Goldman, accused the board of a “double cross” and “sabotaging” the market. Councilwoman Liz Simonson, despite being ruled out of order, yelled to the board, “So you [the ZBA] will be the one that will shut down the farmers market.” Councilman Jay Wenk advised the ZBA “You make it [a traffic plan] sound impossible.”

The two-page ‘safety and security plan” from Albany engineering firm Creighton-Manning did not include drawings, and in fact declared the proposed event to be so small that “a detailed traffic study is not necessary.”

Chairman of the ZBA Howard Harris explained that the ZBA does not “believe this is a traffic study,” and went on to cite numerous problems with the document, which the ZBA had not received until just earlier that day. “We want a farmers market,” said Harris. “But we don’t want to go to bed at night worrying about safety.” In reply to Councilman Wenk’s assertion he replied, “I’m not an expert, but I am sure there is a way.”

Since then discussions have apparently taken place between Mr. Goldman and chairman Harris, resulting in a traffic plan the ZBA is expected to endorse at a special meeting scheduled for May 14. The proposed plan will remove one of the handicapped parking spots from Houst’s parking lot to a spot across Maple Lane, place a barricade preventing traffic from the Tannery Brook parking lot from entering Houst’s, and posting several volunteers to direct motorists. Also, the Town of Woodstock is expected to provide a police officer with a special assignment to maintain traffic safety at an additional annual cost of $6000 in the police budget. Market representatives will then appear at the regularly scheduled May 22 ZBA meeting where it is expected they will receive the zoning variance required for the market to occur.

If all goes as planned there will be approximately fifteen produce venders in the Houst parking lot, and three outdoor restaurants, children’s entertainments, “amplified” acoustic music and other attractions on Mower’s Field (site of the popular weekend flea market) from the hours of 4:00 to 8:00 PM on each Wednesday from May 28 to September 24.