Call it what it is. This isn’t partisan bicker. It’s math.
Two hundred thirty-six people signed a petition against a luxury estate wedged into a protected agricultural district on the strength of a vineyard covering one percent of the property. Forty-six neighbors wrote letters. Not one soul wrote in support. Fact.
The Zoning Board of Appeals said no to the tasting room. Case closed, some thought. It isn’t. The Williams’ own lawyer told the board in May exactly how to route around that no: New York State’s Department of Agriculture and Markets. Unpleasant to report, but true. The lawyer is right.
Meanwhile, the Williams have filed for a Farm Liquor License. And thanks to Donal Collins, who declined to mention it to the board or to the public, nobody found out until later that the plan all along was to fold a lux manse into an ag district under the name Fox Hill Estate and Vineyard. One percent vineyard. Full protection. These are, again, facts, not opinions.
To its credit, the town says …
