Keriland presents plan to Neversink

Developers propose an elaborate complex with multiple facilities

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

Neversink, NY – On Wednesday, Apr. 27, Jim Tinson of Hart Howerton, a design consulting firm, gave a presentation on behalf of Keriland, Inc., and its principal owner Jonathan Leitersdorf, to the Town Board of Neversink. Keriland is the potentially large hotel and residential development in Willowemoc, previously covered in Manor Ink’s Oct. 2021 edition. The purpose of the presentation was to update the board on work that has transpired on the project.

“Over the last year, a project team has been assembled for the purpose of further studying the project site, and helping with a development proposal,” Tinson said. He stressed that Keriland has come up with a “smart proposal” compared to what would be allowed under existing town zoning laws. The concept would involve asking the board to consider amending the town’s master plan and zoning law to facilitate building the project, but on less than 25 percent of the project site’s land.

The site consists of 3,150 acres, bordered by Pole, Hunter and Blue Hill roads. Tinson said they are planning for a “village-based development,” and the current plan is to construct a road entering the property near where Pole, Cooley, and Hunter roads intersect, in order to reduce traffic along Pole Road.

The resort will have two main development areas. One would be above Pole Road, with a small hotel and cabins with about 60 units, a spa-like facility with 30 units, and a fishing camp with yurts on the other side of Pole Road along Fir Brook. There would also be about 180 units of multi-family living facilities, 50 single family homes and 14 larger estate properties. Staff housing along with an assisted living facility is also planned.

Amenities would be open to the public. They would include hiking, cross country skiing and mountain biking trails, a spa and wellness center, a restaurant and retail shops. Near Blue Hill, there would be a farm-like community with a few large estates.

Although no questions or comments were taken at this meeting, a number of people expressed concerns in the Zoom chat about increased traffic, enforcement of environmental regulations and preservation of pristine water sources, among other issues.

Tinson said the next steps were to continue to refine plans based on town board and community feedback, organize a review session as refined plans are developed, and prepare and apply for zoning amendments, develop subdivision and site plan documents in parallel with the environmental review process. Neversink Supervisor Chris Mathews said there will be ample time as the process proceeds for community input and involvement, and “everyone will be heard.” To see the Keriland presentation, visit townofneversink.org.