750-acre resort planned

Consortium sets sights on Slawson Mt.

By Nadine Osborne | Manor Ink

Willowemoc, NY – Keriland, the development company planning a large development in the Town of Neversink, made a “conceptual” presentation of its plans to the Neversink Town Board on April 26. The project will include Willowemoc, which is in the Livingston Manor school district.

The team behind the proposal includes principal owner Jonathan Leitersdorf, design planner Jim Timson with the New York-based firm Hart Howerton, and local attorney Barbara Garigliano.

Leitersdorf, speaking from his home in Switzerland, explained that the consolidated land holdings were bought by his grandfather, Moshe Mayer, in the 1960s. Leitersdorf himself is an architect, real estate developer and venture capitalist. He said that “now is the right time” to develop a “world class” resort and community, and that health, wellness, longevity and community were all important goals when conceptualizing the project.

Timson explained that they plan to build on an expansive property in Willowemoc, which spans over 3,000 acres, encompassing Slawson Mountain and four other peaks. Of the 3,000 acres, they plan to dedicate 750 to what was described as a “base camp of recreation in the Catskills.” While budding plans for a ski resort on the same property were discarded 40 years ago, the Keriland team believes there is now ample commercial potential in the area, particularly because of the recent influx of city-dwellers seeking a luxurious outdoor experience.

In order to cultivate the finest possible experience, Keriland plans to partner with the Six Senses Hotel group, a large hospitality company that is based in Thailand and operates high-end resorts and spas in twenty different countries. The group most recently opened an exclusive facility on the Mediterranean isle of Ibiza.

The presentation to the Town Board was purely conceptual, next steps for this massive project would, it was said, include joint Town Board and Planning Board “visioning” sessions with Keriland, consideration of required zoning amendments and changes to Neversink’s master plan, as well as environmental and other reviews. Leitersdorf and Timson said they want to get feedback from the local community and neighboring landowners.

Board requests more information

Following the meeting, the Town Board sent a letter to Keriland setting forth certain preliminary requirements the Town desires to be met before sessions could take place. The letter stated that while the Town Board finds the project “an exciting concept [that] merits our careful attention and consideration ... we must be mindful of our responsibilities as a town and to our citizens.” The letter asked for information about topography, regulatory constraints such as protection of wetlands, planned development areas, access routes, the number and types of residential dwellings, hotels and amenities, as well as provisions for stormwater management, water sources and waste disposal. The Town Board also asked the developer to agree to pay all of the town’s costs.

In speaking with Manor Ink, Town Supervisor Chris Mathews explained that while the presentation was quite striking, it is still rather vague and the review of such a large endeavor is “uncharted territory for Neversink.” Thus, he said, the need for more information from the developer and his expectation that this will understandably be “a lengthy process.”

“I’ve heard from only one constituent to date, but the process will be transparent and we want to answer questions and get feedback,” Matthews said. He stressed that the project is in the very early stages and many questions will need to be answered as formal plans are developed. Waste water, encompassing septics, sewers and stormwater drainage, is one such issue. Currently, there are no existing facilities on the property.

Residents express reservations

Despite being in its early stages, Keriland’s development is already stirring up some public concern. Bruce Pollock, a local fishing and camping guide who lives in Willowemoc, said, “Once the first shovel goes into this pristine environment, there’s no turning back.” John Chavez, another local resident, said, “Such a large project will be potentially destructive to the environment and an eyesore on our mountainsides.” Sam Wright of Catskill Mountainkeeper noted that while his organization has been tracking other developments proposed or underway in the Catskills, they were “not on this type of scale, which is certainly worrisome.”

Both Mathews and Keriland anticipate a lengthy vetting process. “These are the first baby steps,” Mathews said. He looks forward to receiving community input as plans unfold and may be reached at his office or via email at supervisor@townofneversink.org. He offered assurance that the town will proceed openly and carefully regarding the development.