WAPPINGER – After 50 years of uncertainty, the Wappinger Town Board has unanimously voted to acquire and preserve the 326-acre Cranberry Hills property, preventing large-scale development on the parcel. Cranberry Hills has been at the center of repeated development proposals dating back to 1976, when 473 units were originally proposed. More recently, proposals called for as many as 1,200 multi-family units.

“When I first took office, Wappinger was at a crossroads,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Cavaccini. “We were facing an unprecedented wave of development proposals, thousands of units moving through the pipeline with little regard for long-term impact. Cranberry Hills was at the center of that threat.” In response, the Town enacted a development moratorium and made legislative changes to its Comprehensive Plan to prevent the construction of nearly 6,000 housing units across Wappinger, including the Cranberry Hills proposal.

By preserving the land, the Town avoids potential long-term impacts, including additional daily car trips throughout the town, new students entering the school system, and a rise in EMS and fire calls for the newly developed units.

Financial analysis presented to the Board demonstrated that development would likely result in a break-even outcome at best, or an annual deficit of up to $200,000, while preservation incurs minimal costs. Town officials also noted that the site’s central location and size make it suitable for preservation and community use. “This is not just about stopping something, it’s about creating something better,” Cavaccini said.