Town wants new judge in Hasidic housing case

District Court Judge Philip Halpern and a rendering of the Greens at Chester project (Credit: Better Chester)
District Court Judge Philip Halpern and a rendering of the Greens at Chester project (Credit: Better Chester)

The legal drama over proposed Greens at Chester development has intensified, according to the Times Herald-Record.

Attorneys representing the New York town of Chester have asked the federal judge overseeing the case to recuse himself because he arbitrated what they call a similar case in the past.

The Hasidic developers of the 431-home project claim the town and Orange County are trying to block the development because the local governments expect residents to be primarily Hasidic families. The developers received approvals for the project in 2013 and sued last year after years of delays in permitting.

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The developers have built infrastructure for the project but have twice been denied permits to construct houses. They are seeking $100 million in damages and a green light to finish the project.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a complaint supporting the developers. [LoHud] — Dennis Lynch