By now you may have heard that Woodstock National changed their name to Zena Development LLC.
But….they CAN’T HIDE. KEEP your SIGNS in the ground… we will be ordering stickers to place over the words WNLLC.
What's next? We propose an amendment to Woodstock's zoning law, increasing the open space requirement from 50% to 85% for land formally designated as critical environmental areas (CEA's). The current zoning laws do not adequately protect the CEA’s. As a result, developers like ZENA DEVELOPMENT LLC. (formerly Woodstock NATIONAL) have purchased and plan to develop 519 critical environmental acres in the town of Woodstock. The main features of the Zena Woods CEA include its large forest, wetlands, twenty or more vernal pools, an unconsolidated aquifer, and several rare and endangered species. The Zena Woods has been rated by the DEC to be in the top ten percent of forests in the Hudson Valley and by New York State’s Open Space Plan as a Priority Project Conservation area.
Sign our petition as we urge the Town Board to increase the open space requirement for CEA’s from 50% to 85%. This percentage is not arbitrary but based on scientific research indicating that preserving at least half of an ecosystem can maintain 80-90% of its biodiversity (Wilson EO., Half-Earth Project). The Town of Redhook, NY, has already implemented this.
By implementing this zoning law, we can ensure sustainable development while protecting our precious environment for future generations. We owe it to ourselves and those who come after us.
Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of Woodstock, NY.
Illustrations by Zoe Keller