*** Please note: Change.org will ask you to donate money to promote the petition. The Alliance does NOT see this money, it goes directly to Change.org so that they can boost the petition. We greatly appreciate everyone who donated to promote this petition with Change.org but your signature and sharing the petition with friends & neighbors is also more than enough!! 

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A 50,000 sq ft banquet & event hall threatens both Cherrytown Rd & Town of Rochester’s rural character, road safety, and water supply.

Say NO to this oversized development at Pine Grove (formerly Pine Ridge Dude Ranch)— sign now to protect our town, our neighbors, and our future.

If you would like to receive timely updates on this issue directly to your inbox, please submit your email HERE

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The Town of Rochester is facing a development proposal that would permanently alter the agricultural, scenic, and historic character of Cherrytown Road — and put the health, safety, and welfare of our community at risk.

The applicant seeks to construct a 50,000 square foot banquet and event hall at Pine Grove/Rav Tov. This massive commercial-style project is completely out of scale with our farms, rural roads, and neighborhoods.

📢 Now is the time to act. The Planning Board is sworn to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all residents — and they need strong public support to make the right decision for the entire community.

Why we must say NO to this expansion:

 • It does not align with our Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code. The proposal does not align with standards for commercial design, landscaping, aquifer protection, parking, traffic, signage, or setbacks.

 • It threatens our water. The project lies within the Aquifer Protection Overlay District. Town law requires a hydrogeological study when water use exceeds 1,000 gallons/day. We feel dual kitchens, classrooms, and space for 500+ people, this threshold will be exceeded many times over — putting our wells and aquifer at risk of contamination.

 • It endangers drivers and pedestrians. Cherrytown Road and adjoining roads cannot safely handle the traffic volume and bus congestion from large-scale events.

 • It undermines our rural and agricultural identity. The R-5 Rural Conservation District was designed to preserve farmland and community character — not mega-sized banquet facilities.

 • It repeats past harms. Neighbors have already experienced disruption from Rav Tov/Pine Grove’s activities, including noise, unsafe traffic for drivers and pedestrians, trespass, debris and damage to crops via helicopters. Expansion will only make these impacts worse.

What You Can Do:

✅ First, sign this petition to show that residents stand united against this oversized development. Please include your mailing address (and email/phone if possible) so we can keep you informed of next steps.

✅ Attend the next Public Comment Planning Board Meeting: !!UPDATE!! Thank you to all who submitted letters for the December 8th Planning Board meeting. We’re pleased to share that the public comment period WILL REMAIN OPEN, meaning the community will continue to have the opportunity to make its voice heard on this matter. The December 8th meeting was an important one. If you were unable to attend in person or watch virtually, we encourage you to review the meeting minutes and recording, which can be found HERE.

To stay informed about future updates and calls to action, please email townofrochesteralliance@gmail.com and request to be added to our mailing list.

Please note: this application is NOT on the agenda for the January 12th Planning Board meeting.

✅ Submit your written comments to: PBZBA@townofrochester.ny.gov and kgundberg@townofrochester.ny.gov

This is our chance to protect Rochester’s rural character, water, and road safety — for ourselves, our neighbors, and generations to come.

An informal citizen action group is forming to share updates and coordinate efforts. Signing this petition ensures you’ll stay informed and have a voice in shaping the future of our town.