SOUTH FALLSBURG — A proposal to annex land from the Town of Fallsburg into the Village of Woodridge for a 130-home development was the subject of a joint public hearing held March 17 at the Senior Center in South Fallsburg.

The project, tied to three parcels owned by entities managed by developer Sam Charach of Brooklyn, NY, would bring approximately 130 new residential homes into the village. 

According to project materials, the development supposedly could generate an estimated $134,420 annually in new village property tax revenue, while contributing more than $535,000 in combined tax revenue.

Attorney Jacob Billig, representing the applicant, told both boards the annexation is about aligning development with infrastructure.

“He’s allowed to develop now… well over a hundred units,” Billig said. “What we’re asking for… is approximately 130 units… The benefit to the village is increased tax revenue and the ability to connect to municipal water and sewer.”

Billig argued the project would avoid the need for private wastewater systems and instead support expansion of Woodridge’s infrastructure.

“It’s not workforce housing. It’s a development… open to anyone,” he said, clarifying during the meeting after earlier references to workforce housing caused confusion among residents.

But many residents pushed back, questioning both the financial assumptions and potential impacts.

Josh Druckman, a Fallsburg resident living near the site, warned of infrastructure strain.

“Where is this water coming from?” he asked, citing existing development pressures and a “serious water shortage.”

Concerns over environmental impact, water supply, and long-term planning were repeated throughout the hearing.

“The proposal estimates 130 homes with six residents per home… but provides no information about bedrooms or occupancy,” said one speaker.

Others challenged the economic projections, saying the report assumes benefits “without demonstrating that the local economy has capacity.”

Traffic and safety were also major concerns.

“It’s just going to bring more traffic… it’s going to be dangerous,” said Woodridge resident Dara Manzi.

Several speakers also questioned whether Fallsburg would lose valuable tax base without clear benefit.

“Why would Fallsburg give up a significant tax base… if there’s no benefit?” one resident asked.

Environmental concerns ranged from aquifer impacts to wetlands and light pollution, with one speaker warning that “once we lose the resources… they’re gone.”

Glen Wild resident Mike Osterhout urged officials to consider long-term impacts.

“We can’t undo… loads and loads of high density… residencies,” Osterhout said. “It’s too much. We can’t handle it.”

“I wanna keep what we have for the future generations… because we can’t go backwards,” he added, referring to the impact development could have on the environment.

Billig said that if the annexation is approved, the project would undergo a full environmental review before any building takes place, and that any infrastructure upgrades needed—including connecting to water or sewer—would be paid for by the developer.

The meeting grew heated toward the end when Billig responded to residents’ concerns, at times calling them “speculative,” leading to exchanges between residents and Billig before the hearing concluded.

The public hearing remains open for written comments for 30 days, as stated by Town Supervisor Nathan Steingart, and the board also indicated the application will be referred for General Municipal Law 239 county review before any final decision is made.