Summit Lake Wins in Court!

Summit Lake wins in court! Judge sides with Summit Lake Conservation Group and overturns Philmont Planning Board’s approval of The Woods! 

More than 50 people donated to our campaign in our first week. JOIN THE FIGHT! Summit Lake needs your help more than ever!  

On January 13, 2023, the Hon. Richard Mott in Columbia County Supreme Court granted Summit Lake Conservation Group’s petition (Summit Lake Conservation Group v Village of Philmont & Clover Reach Partners LLC) to overturn the Philmont Planning Board’s approval of the ill-conceived “The Woods” housing development on fragile, steep, wooded terrain above Summit Lake. Judge Mott’s decision annulled the approval resolution and remanded the matter back to the Planning Board for further environmental review. 

This is an ENORMOUS WIN for Summit Lake, its wildlife and community. But this is just the beginning. Your support will ensure that we keep winning with you!

The Judge agreed with SLCG’s lawsuit (see below) that the Planning Board failed to follow proper procedural steps when it approved The Woods; violated New York’s State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Act; and was in conflict with New York State’s fire safety code. The judge’s decision annuls the development’s one-way loop road and the Village’s approval of restrictive covenants that allow additional tree cutting by future property owners. These covenants increase the percentage of trees destined for felling and the overall loss of wildlife habitat.