Referendum in Middlefield Today on Sale of 19.67 Acres

Middlefield voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a nearly 20-acre property located along Powder Hill Road.

A referendum is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Middlefield Community Center where qualified residents will vote either "Yes" or "No" to selling the property to resident Lori Vogel-Brown for $300,000.

The land — listed as 19.67 acres — was once part of the 246-acre plus Powder Ridge property but was divided from the ski area prior to the sale of the property to Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park owner Sean Hayes.

Patch readers sound-off on sale of 19.67 acres

Vogel-Brown, who operates a horse farm on a property adjacent to the land, has said she plans to use the land to expand her farm.

Restrictions on the property include a conservation easement which will prevent the buyer or any subsequent owner from building an agricultural structure larger than 5,000 square feet on the front half of the property, as well as a provision that allows for only one home to be built and does not allow the owner to sub-divide the property.

Middlefield will retain the right of first refusal should Vogel-Brown decide to sell the property in the future.

At two public hearings held on the sale of the property, opponents have argued that the land should be leased or held onto. Supporters have said selling the property will allow the town to pay down debt owed on Powder Ridge.

Check back with Patch on Tuesday for referendum coverage