Help Rural Ancram Stop Iron Star Resort

 

Dear Neighbors,

Ancram residents have spent decades carefully planning a future that protects the Town’s most important resources: farmland, active agriculture, clean water, natural habitats, scenic views, and distinct hamlets with historic character. We want this to remain a place where all present and future residents can live and thrive.

 

These irreplaceable assets and the rural character of our community are threatened by one big private development, right now, in the valley at the heart of our town. Iron Star violates every value expressed by Ancram’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan.

 

If this project is not stopped, Iron Star will span 147 acres on the west side of Route 82, just north of Wiltsie Bridge Road, extending westward to Pooles Hill Road and the Roeliff Jansen Kill. This property, a remnant of one of Ancram’s largest family farms, contains a tributary creek, wetland, open pasture, a significant stand of woods, and the diverse wildlife that relies upon these habitats.

 

Iron Star proposes a sprawling resort development with numerous new structures, including cabins of various sizes for overnight accommodations and several buildings for supposed recreational support uses. Iron Star also proposes an Inn, a restaurant, several parking lots, new roadways, walking and horse trails, a 20-foot-wide fire access road off Pooles Hill Road, numerous private wells, individual sewage disposal systems, stormwater infrastructure, a well house, and a bathhouse. Iron Star proposes to operate 365 days a year.

 

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Rural Ancram is a group of local residents who aim to prevent harmful development on agricultural land and critical aquifers, within forests, and near fragile wetlands and waterways in historic Ancram, including the hamlets of Ancram, Ancramdale, and Boston Corners.

 

Our mission is to support and promote the clearly stated goals and priorities of Ancram township residents, as outlined in the Town’s Zoning Code and 2019 Comprehensive Plan. Rural Ancram is a nonpolitical organization open to all interested in preserving Ancram’s distinct agricultural, historic, and natural assets, while keeping the town affordable for future generations. Rural Ancram was formed to represent the residents’ rightful voice at each step of the process for new development proposals.

 

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Rural Ancram has retained a land use attorney, who is already at work reviewing and disputing Iron Star's proposal, but this is an involved and time-consuming process, likely to take months. Your donation to "Help Rural Ancram Stop Iron Star" will assist in offsetting foreseeable attorney fees. Rural Ancram will also use donations for postcard mailings and signage to help raise community awareness about the Iron Star Resort proposal.

 

More information about Rural Ancram and the impacts of Iron Star on our community is available here .