The group behind Livingston Farm, the proposed development formerly known as Broadacre Farm on Hoag Road in this hamlet, has announced that they will share their plans for 2025 at the town’s Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 2. A number of important modifications have made been to their initial proposal.

The Rockland Town Board expressed concerns about the project at a meeting in December 2021, one of which was the impact creating a new entry road to the property off Creamery Road would have. Because the developers recently acquired the property at 4 Hoag Road, they now have the possibility of widening and improving Hoag Road from its intersection with High Street and Creamery Road. That, they say, will eliminate any construction disturbance to wetlands and will push the work area hundreds of feet farther away from the Willowemoc.

The new site design, developed by Sherwood Design Engineers of New York City, will be geared toward greater reduction of stormwater run-off, a major concern of residents on High Street. This will be accomplished, the developers say, through millions of dollars of investment in additional green stormwater infrastructure.

The Livingston Farm property currently has a small market garden producing vegetables, herbs and flowers, a resource that will be expanded in 2025. Produce from the garden will be used for a series of outdoor dinners on the property in upcoming months, gatherings intended to introduce people to the project while showcasing other seasonal foods sourced from local farms and businesses. A pig roast is planned for Nov. 2.

Livingston Farm’s developers expect the project will ultimately provide full-time jobs for dozens of local residents. They have also been exploring ways to work collaboratively with the town, including supporting the Chamber of Commerce’s wayfinding signage project, the O&W Rail Trail extension, and assisting in streambank restoration and the construction of the proposed Riverwalk.

“Through our work on Livingston Farm, we’ve spent a significant amount of time with the Rockland Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code and we are pleased that efforts are being made by the town to clarify and enhance the planning documents,” wrote Stefan Martinovic, one of Livingston Farm’s principals. “This will ensure that Rockland is positioned for a bright and sustainable future, to which we aspire to be a major contributor.”

Information for this article was provided by Livingston Farm.