A City Proposed for Mamakating!
Developers: Ulster Mountain and Ulster River LLCs
Project Name: Planned Community of Kiryas Skver in Spring Glen, NY

September 2007
by Anita Altman, member Basha Kill Area Association

Yet another major development is in the works for the Town of Mamakating. This time it is the former site of the Homowack Hotel, a parcel of approximately 450 acres, the great majority of which are on minimally or undeveloped land. The property is located in the hamlets of Phillipsport and Spring Glen in eastern Sullivan County, near the Ulster County line.

It was purchased last year by a corporation that lists itself as the Ulster Mountain and Ulster River LLCs. Only in the last few weeks is the magnitude of the project they are planning even beginning to emerge. They made their intent public in a recently released brochure. In it they state their vision is, "…to build a city from scratch, building an infrastructure costing tens of millions of dollars…" including schools, religious institutions, and, "…a shopping center, health center, etc." These community facilities are, of course, to support the thousands of new residents who will be living in the housing that is at the heart of this development.

Though the developers have acknowledged that it will be challenging, but necessary, to comply with "stringent new environmental and other regulations," the reality is that the project as envisioned would be in violation both of the spirit and intent of the Town's Master Plan, which was adopted in 2001. The Plan states, "Development will be accommodated within the overall framework of balancing the need to accommodate growth with the desire to protect the natural and historic resource base which provides Mamakating and its villages with its scenic rural setting."

Moreover, in order to help maintain its rural character, this land is zoned as a hamlet center, which requires: an acre/dwelling unit; a minimum road frontage/unit; as well it establishes stringent requirements for the location of ancillary facilities such as schools, commercial, religious and cultural institutions.

As the enormity of this development has begun to be revealed, concerned residents are beginning to organize to try to gather information, and to determine for themselves how best to respond to what would be a massive change in the quality of life of this rural town. Many understand that it will be necessary for the community to mobilize to ensure that whatever development is planned is consistent with the rules and regulations of Mamakating Township, environmentally sound, and will add to the quality of life of those who already live here.

For further information email: valley209keeper@yahoo.com