Developer R. Henry Courtemanche’s dream of placing a resort within the Catskills city of Cairo took one other hit.
New York State Supreme Court docket Justice Sharon Graff dominated in favor of residents and opponents of the event on the Blackhead Mountain resort, the Occasions Union reported. Graff overturned final yr’s “detrimental declaration” from the Cairo Planning Board, which allowed the applicant to maneuver ahead with no thorough environmental evaluate.
Residents argued that an environmental evaluate was wanted to evaluate the challenge’s affect on water and vitality. The decide’s ruling invalidates closing website plan approval given by the board.
“A lead company’s omissions and errors in finishing this brief kind — even when immaterial — don’t encourage confidence in those that actively voice issues through the SEQRA course of that the lead company … correctly recognized and took a tough have a look at potential environmental impacts,” Graff stated, referencing an incomplete 10-page environmental evaluation from the board.
Mates of Spherical Prime has led the opposition to the challenge, alongside environmental nonprofits Sierra Membership’s Atlantic Chapter and Theodore Gordon.
Jean-Marc Flack, president of Mates of Spherical Prime, stated any improvement “have to be grounded in transparency, science, and respect for the land and the individuals who stay right here.” Flack recommended the door was nonetheless open for the challenge if a full environmental affect assertion was required.
R. Henry Courtemanche declined to remark. The Cairo Planning Board Chair didn’t return a request for remark from the publication.
The scope of the challenge already appeared to get modified over years. The event workforce behind the challenge desires to show the present property right into a 66,000-square-foot resort and spa with 127 models. In 2024, California-based R Home Resort Group proposed to construct a 91,000-square-foot lodge with a restaurant and spa, 87 cabins, 287 parking areas and a controversial helipad.
Greater than 100 folks attended the primary public listening to for the up to date challenge in 2022. Opponents stated the challenge is just too huge, would wreck the hamlet’s character and hurt the atmosphere.
Learn extra
Developer pitches big upstate resort with helipad. Will it fly?
Texas developer in contract for $125M Adirondack estate
$561M deal for Catskills casino resort stalls, as investors seek counsel
