Plan for 184 Homes on Historic Whitney Polo Grounds Draws Neighbor Opposition

A plan to build 184 residential units on the historic Whitney Polo grounds is currently under review by the town’s planning board. 

Last year, the property was purchased by Paddock View Development LLC for 3.5 million according to property records. 

Owner and developer Jack Esler is seeking approval to construct a 37 residential building complex featuring a dog park, pickleball courts, and a clubhouse capable of seating 220 people while reducing the 10-acre polo field to a 5.2-acre multi-use space which can include exhibition polo matches.  

However, this requires the town board to amend the 2005 Planned Unit Development (PUD). 

Under the 2005 PUD, titled the Saratoga Polo Retreat Project, the residential homes were allowed for full or fractional ownership with the central attraction in the Polo field.

However, there has not been any Polo play on the property since 2019, and the developers view the business model outlined in the 2005 PUD as unviable.

Esler is asking the town board to amend the 2005 PUD so the property can operate as a single residential community owned by Paddock View Development LLC, with units leased to individual users.

In addition, Esler is requesting to stable up to eight of his family’s thoroughbred and breeding horses on the site. The stables would not be open to public lease.

The proposal is facing public scrutiny over its residential density and its diminished focus on polo.

Dissenting neighbor group, Keep Greenfield Rural, points to the 2005 PUD where the legislation only approved 70 residential units across 5 buildings and had a clear goal of preserving the Whitney Polo Field. The online petition has garnered over 100 signatures requesting the Greenfield Town Board to deny the amendments to the 2005 PUD.

The town board has asked the planning board for its written recommendation. The next planning board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. at 7 Wilton Road, Greenfield Center.