A currently unnamed hotel could sprout up at 4321 Route 209 in Marbletown, across from Lydia’s Cafe, if all goes well. Doug, the applicant’s representative whose last name wasn’t shared, told the Marbletown Planning Board this week that no tree cutting will be needed for the project and that North River Architecture, based in Stone Ridge, is helping them explore what environmentally friendly features they can incorporate into the design.

The development would include a collection of lodgings, with 10 rooms total, that will be designed to look like the aging barns scattered across the township. Doug added that the materials for the siding and roof will be made with locally sourced wood as well. The back entrance of the rooms will offer a view of the untouched wilderness that lies beyond the glass, offering both hotel amenities in a natural setting, Doug explained.

The guest houses will be hidden in the back of the lot, but the “accessory building” may be seen from Route 209. The view will be at least somewhat shielded, with proposed plantings, Doug said. The building itself will be used to host markets, meetings, weddings, and other similar events.

Further discussion on the application was tabled until the next meeting while the applicant worked out its septic plan and spoke with the highway department about how the development will impact traffic flow in the area.

Fire Victim Moves On

In December 2019, Marbletown resident David Wallis saw part of his life go up in flames after getting a call that his house was reduced to a smoldering shell. At Monday’s planning board meeting, the board helped Wallis move past the tragedy by discussing his plan to slice up and sell the land. Wallis applauded the town for its constant support throughout the whole ordeal and said he’s happily relocated to Bearsville, just under 30 minutes away.

It was Friday the 13th when Wallis was told that his house was no more. His family was staying in their main apartment in New York City while he was in Florida caring for his elderly parents. Wallis later discovers that the baseboard heater started the blaze. When he couldn’t find someone to rebuild it to its former glory, he, instead, planned to cut his roughly 10-acre plot in two and sell them for residential use. Wallis added that the deed will be restricted so the land cannot be divided any further.

The planning board still needed some technical details added to Wallis’ maps: the back-up location for one septic system (in case the other area fails), the steepness of a driveway, and the location of a wetland. A public hearing for the proposal will take place at the next planning board meeting.

Other Business

Over on Old Runway Road, in Stone Ridge, two owners with the last names “Han” and “Stewart” bought three adjacent lots before discovering a problem. The previous owner was asked to form a homeowner’s association to oversee road maintenance on the site, but never followed through. Now Han and Stewart are asking the planning board to allow them to create a “road maintenance agreement,” where he and his neighbors agree to keep the road in working condition, instead.

Two neighbors, who own 40 acres that border Old Runway Road, questioned their part in the change. The board suggested that they contact their attorney to see if they were given access to Old Runway Road in their deed. Under town code, you can’t build on a landlocked parcel. If the neighbors decided to try to split and sell the land closer to the neighboring road, they would first need deeded permission before joining the road maintenance agreement. With that question hanging in the air, the board tabled the discussion until its next meeting.

The planning board is also starting the groundwork to change the layout of the town’s zoning law documentation so that each topic is given a dedicated section, which will make it easier to read. The changes will then go to the town board for approval, a decision that will require at least one public meeting.