McKenna, Courtis say it should be based on maximum number of units that could be built By WILLIAM J. KEMBLE | news@freemanonline.com PUBLISHED: November 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM EST WOODSTOCK, N.Y. — Zena Homes’ request for an extension to Eastwoods Drive should be evaluated based on the maximum number of units that could be built rather than a promise that a proposed 30-lot subdivision would be limited to single-family homes, town Supervisor Bill McKenna and Supervisor-elect Anu

by Nick Henderson November 12, 2025 The latest Woodstock planning board meeting on traffic and environmental concerns from the proposed Zena Homes development sparked discussion of what’s next and surfaced a longstanding lack of communication from the town of Ulster. Recently, the state Department of Environmental Conservation settled a dispute between the two towns by ruling the town of Ulster is the lead agency. But all is not lost for Woodstock’s concerns, explained town

By WILLIAM J. KEMBLE | news@freemanonline.com PUBLISHED: November 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM EST WOODSTOCK, N.Y. — Review of the proposed Zena Homes’ 1,400-foot-long extension of Eastwoods Drive resumed last week with a contentious discussion among town Planning Board members that lasted 80 minutes. Board Chairman Peter Cross said during the Thursday, Nov. 6, meeting that the two requests from Zena Development LLC were not complicated beyond having the proposed project connected to

Residents and conservation groups press for more studies and fire-safety answers after state shifts oversight of 30-home subdivision to Ulster planners. by Noah Eckstein   November 7, 2025 A long-running debate over a proposed 30-home subdivision off Eastwoods Drive continues after the state Department of Environmental Conservation confirmed in late October that the Town of Ulster—not Woodstock—will oversee the project’s environmental review. The decision, announced just befo

By WILLIAM J. KEMBLE | news@freemanonline.com PUBLISHED: November 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM EDT | UPDATED: November 3, 2025 at 9:11 AM EST TOWN OF ULSTER, N.Y. — The state Department of Environmental Conservation has assigned lead agency status for the proposed Zena Homes development to the Ulster town Planning Board. The decision by DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton was announced Oct. 29. A determination by the DEC had been sought by the Woodstock Planning Board.  The board had soug

It's been a minute since we reached to you with an update on the work to keep Zena Development from harming a beautiful natural habitat, but we are back with several updates and opportunities for engagement. We've been busy in the interim, but we are back in your inbox to ask for your help. First, we've confirmed Zena Development will be back on the agenda for the Woodstock Planning Board's Nov. 6 meeting . The final agenda is currently posted on the town's website, so please

by Nick Henderson   October 31, 2025 The state Department of Environmental Conservation ruled the town of Ulster should be lead agency for environmental review of the proposed Zena Homes 30-lot housing development at the end of Eastwoods Drive. While the developers convinced the town of Ulster to declare itself lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the town of Woodstock made the case for leadership because the only access is through a Woodstock road. B

by Nick Henderson August 27, 2025 in Environment, Politics & Government Safety dominated discussion of the proposed Zena Homes 30-lot...

Planning Board to Review Reports and Sketch Plan We need you at the next Planning Board meeting to listen and learn as the developers...

Both Ulster and Woodstock Vie for Lead Agency Status The Woodstock Planning Board voted unanimously last week to take the lead in the...

Woodstock Planning Board Should Ask to be SEQRA Lead by Stop Zena Development It's been an interesting turn of events since the Town of...

by Nick Henderson May 21, 2025 in Politics & Government The Town of Ulster’s planning board, at the developers’ urging, has declared...

Noah Eckstein /// February 21, 2025 The Woodstock Planning Board is moving forward with its review of the Zena Homes project, agreeing...

We've confirmed that Zena Development will be the third application on the Feb. 20 agenda for Woodstock's Planning Board. There will NOT...

Developers say the project will help address a housing shortage, while some residents fear it will disrupt their rural way of life,...

Click here to watch the recording of Stop Zena Development's February 4th Virtual Town Hall

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Jesse King Published February 7, 2025 at 1:11 PM EST Listen to the radio story here. A proposed...

By WILLIAM J. KEMBLE UPDATED: February 1, 2025 at 2:43 PM EST WOODSTOCK, N.Y. – Opponents of the proposed Zena Homes development will...

The Stop Zena Development coalition will be hosting a free virtual town hall Feb. 4 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. to update interested citizens...

2-2 Tie Leads to Denial of Appeal After two public hearings and a short deliberation last month, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) issued...