Another tale of rural gentrification, this one out of upstate New York

Julie Satow writes under the headline "How Preservationists Are Losing the Fight Against Luxury Real Estate" in today's New York Times.  The story is out of Durham, New York, and the subhead is "A squabble over a new development in rural New York reveals a shifting of priorities among local leaders."

The “situation” is a contentious real estate project that has roiled this rural enclave of 2,700 in Greene County: Ninety-five acres of woods, wetlands and stone outcroppings are set to be converted into a dozen luxury homes, and not everyone is happy about it.

The historic preservation committee, led by Mr. Ciccone, had wanted to do a more in-depth environmental study on the project before it proceeded, but that didn’t happen. What happened instead were public meetings dragging on past midnight, tempers lost, a lawsuit and, lastly, Mr. Ciccone’s dismissal. Following the firing, three others on the commission quit in protest, leaving Durham’s preservation group toothless.

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As city dwellers have flocked to this area of rural New York, several ambitious developers have taken notice, as have local governments in need of broader tax bases. This has put intensifying pressure on the historic preservation commissions of these towns and small cities. Commissions can be scrupulous when reviewing development proposals. Lately, their requests to slow down and study certain projects before jumping into construction have pitted them directly against the local governments they serve.

So far, the commissions seem to be on the losing side, with several vocal leaders either being relieved of their positions or quitting out of frustration.

Some supporters of the development cite the tax revenue and young families it is likely to bring to the area.