Controversial developer Simon Gelb was back before the Mamakating Planning Board on April 9, along with some public commenters who took him to task and others who urged the community to get to know him.

Gelb had earlier come twice before the board to refine plans to subdivide a 46-acre parcel he owns that is already split by County Road 56. He has said he wants to remodel an existing structure there, in order to construct a second home besides the first one that he built across the road last year.

That first home measures over 7,000 square feet, and the Building Department has called it the largest single-family dwelling in Mamakating. While it was being built, local social media and some officials buzzed with speculation that it wasn’t really intended to be a single-family home. They worried that it would be an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva – a religious school – despite Gelb’s claim that it would house his very large family, which includes dozens of grandchildren. (In Mamakating, a single-family home the size of Gelb’s can permissibly house about 36 people.)

Since the house was completed, no one has come forward with evidence that it’s being used for anything not permitted. Nonetheless, Gelb projects have provoked controversy elsewhere. A few years ago, he was involved in failed efforts to build large developments in Sullivan County. One was a scheme for a Disney-style, Chinese-themed entertainment park. It collapsed in scandal when its two main promoters (Gelb was not one) were accused of fraud and imprisoned. Gelb is currently building a subdivision in Orange County that has garnered fines from New York State for ignoring environmental regulations. Gelb himself has lived for years in Monroe.

For his application to subdivide the property on County Road 56 near Wurtsboro, several minor issues remained to be addressed, and Gelb was at the planning board’s April 9 meeting to say he had fixed what he needed to. A public hearing ensued, with several people giving comment in person, on the phone and in writing.

In-person commenter, Thomas Senator said, “I’m in favor and want to welcome [Gelb] to the community. We want to keep the Mountain Greenbelt area a beautiful place.” He added that it appeared Gelb’s proposed plans would fit into the community.

Long time Mamakating resident and Basha Kill preservation activist Frank Coviello also appeared in person and was skeptical. “I can’t comment on the subdivision,” he said, and questioned why items such as Gelb’s address and phone number were blank in the application to the Building Department that Coviello obtained from a public records request. In addition, he said, an incorrect owner was reported. Coviello said he worried about “a shell game.” Building Department clerk Kyra Platt responded by phone that she always redacts addresses, phone numbers and emails in copies that she provides to the public, but Gelb’s original application does have all the information. She added that the ownership information is also correct as it pertains to Gelb.

Coviello accepted Platt's corrections but continued, “We cherish this rural community character and we don’t want to see this character change for the worst.” At that, John Capello, the planning board’s attorney, reminded speakers that “the purpose of this hearing is only for the subdivision.”

Mamakating resident Kevin Clark said he has been the caretaker for a structure on a property adjacent to Gelb’s. He complained about severe, long term construction noise when Gelb’s first house, surrounded by a wide road, was built last year. The noise lasted “all summer into hunting season, six days a week,” Clark said, and gates were being constantly slammed shut, making noise “like a gunshot.” Gelb apologized for the noise and said it had lasted only for the two months he took to complete all the work. Clark disputed that time period.

Once again, attorney Capello reminded commenters that “this board’s jurisdiction is limited.” The Building Department’s Platt said that whenever people have complaints about excessive noise, they can contact the Sullivan County Sheriff’s office.

A caller then urged the board to “reject any application by this individual” due to Gelb’s reported violations of environmental regulations. Planning Board chairman Lorrence Green again noted that Gelb’s subdivision proposal was “the only thing in the purview of the planning board.”

Finally, Roger Parmelee took the mike and said he is Gelb’s neighbor. He called Gelb “a very good, nice man. I think people should maybe get together and have a beer with Mr. Gelb. Getting to know him would be a good idea since we’re all neighbors.”

Reached later by phone, Parmelee told the Shawangunk Journal that he bought property immediately adjacent to Gelb’s on County Road 56 last year, before Gelb started doing his intensive work to build the large house. Parmelee said he values the rural, private vibe of the area’s Mountain Greenbelt, and he was curious about what Gelb was doing, so he spoke with him.

Parmelee said that as far as he can tell, Gelb is building the houses for his family to enjoy as a weekend summer retreat. At the same time, Parmelee added, he appreciates that neighbors “are uneasy about rapid growth that can impact residents in this area.” He said their worry impeded their ability before the planning board to focus on the property subdivision issue.

Green announced that the public hearing would remain open until the next planning board meeting, to give Sullivan County its opportunity for comment. The next meeting is scheduled for May 14.