The Nevele appeared before the Wawarsing planning board on September 15, back in review after a few years of quiet. The application by Somerset Partners, now Somerset Catskill, had previously passed through the town board’s hands and now lies with the planning board for final review and permitting.

The application by Somerset Partners, through a subsidiary named Somerset Catskill Holdings,

Things began with Attorney Terresa M. Bakner of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna LLP, going through the effort of the last few years working with the NYS DEC on permitting of the replacement of stream crossings on the property. She noted that “an enormous amount of time” had been consumed by the complicated negotiations with the DEC concerning the presence of a bald eagle nest beside the lake on the property. Replacing the existing stream crossings will also require replacing culverts, which she noted are mostly falling apart. She also noted the presence in a north-eastern corner of the 400-acre property of northern timber rattlesnakes, a protected species.

She noted the property consists of 400 acres on the eastern side of Route 209. The Sandburg Creek runs right across the property south to north.

Permits have now been acquired for the construction of the new planned resort.

Keith Rubenstein, of Somerset Partners, explained that the development will be for 80 hotel rooms, 70 of them in a standalone hotel building and ten in separate cabins. There will be a high end spa, multiple restaurants, and, in the northwest corner, an organic orchard and possibly a “u-pick” option for guests with a casual dining eatery as well.

There will not be a golf course.

In addition, there will be 46 single family homes and 40 town homes, plus workforce housing to the northwest. A new entrance to the property will be constructed at the southern end.

Board member, Poppy Cannon-Reese asked when demolition of the existing structures will begin. Rubenstein said the demolition permits will be sought once the planning board permitting and the financing for the projects is secured.

Schmalzle said that the planning board process would take between 9 and 14 months to complete. Demolition and building would last about 24-30 months, Rubenstein estimated.

The application will return soon.