BETHLEHEM — A former farm will soon be home to a new residential development in Glenmont.
Sandy Creek farm on Wemple Road, owned and farmed by the Newell family, will likely be torn down, as developers make way for a 40-lot development in one section of the property, and more development could be proposed later on, as a second developer owns an other section of the property.
The project was approved in August 2015. Construction on the project began recently, with The Michaels Group, based in Ballston Spa, spearheading.
The development will be called the Newell Place subdivision in reference to the land’s former owners. The Newells formerly owned the Bethlehem Cemetery in Delmar. Though the family has been farming for generations, increased property taxes have caused the family to sell, Spotlight News has learned.
Construction on the development will begin this summer with the paving a cul-de-sac. It will likely take three to four years to complete the project, said Luke Michaels, head developer on the project. The Michaels Group started their business in Bethlehem over 40 years ago.
The 40 lots will each house a single-family dwelling, which will be for sale. Homes will range in size from 1400 to 2100 square feet, with master bedrooms on the first floor, and will be maintenance free. Lands have also been donated to the town for conservation purposes.
The area is largely residential (and is zoned as such), with neighborhoods like the Meadowview development bordering.
Plans are similar to a project the Michaels Group completed in Delmar 10 years ago, the Walden Fields development in Delmar, which is also a maintenance free community.
“The idea for the community is an entirely maintenance free product. There will be a home owners association whose job it will be to control maintenance for sites, things like lawn maintenance and snow maintenance being the biggest,” said developer Luke Michaels.
The Michaels Group began their business in Delmar 40 years ago, by constructing Chadwick Square in Glenmont.
