New Japanese Spa Proposed

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — There is a new Spa Project being proposed in Sharon Springs! A Japanese company called Hoshino Resorts Inc. has a purchase interest in 50 acres of raw land up above the Historic Downtown on Beechwood Avenue.

Hoshino is a “109-year-old Japan-based hospitality company, with five brand offerings and 60 properties worldwide”. They are proposing an “onsen ryokan” which is a “Japanese-style hot spring inn” for this project. The plan for this unique and expensive resort, includes separate cottages, in-room spa comforts, and on-site private dining,

The considerable plans also come with many details to be evaluated and many more to work through. Due to the scale of this proposed project, there will be a number of agencies involved like New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Schoharie County Planning Commission, Sharon Springs Central School District, Schoharie County Board of Representatives, Joint Planning Board for the Village of Sharon Springs and the Town of Sharon, Town of Sharon Town Board, and the Village of Sharon Springs Zoning Board of Appeals all to ensure proper phases of approval, construction, and environmental factors too.

The proposed resort would include a main area with a plethora of amenities like private restaurant, spa treatments, etc. The resort will also feature 40 individual dwellings or cottages built in harmony within the hillside.

After a meeting with Hoshino, Mr. Ron Ketelsen, President of the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce, said “this company has a tremendous track record, this will bring a lot of economic development to Schoharie County.”

Through meetings with local organizations, Hoshino has made it clear that Schoharie County at large would benefit in economic ways like increased demand for specific products, specifically vegetables to be used at the private Japanese restaurant, as well as a potential Japanese Hospitality Program at SUNY Cobleskill. The Resort clientele would likely be wealthy international travelers, allowing for outside activities like local agritourism to potentially capitalize on this opportunity as well.

While talking to locals at the Sharon Springs Holiday Artisan Faire (12/2) about these proposed plans, one resident mentioned, “any economic development is good development in my book but we'll see”, with another neighbor citing “the Spa on Main Street (Sharon Springs Inc.) didn't happen and we bought in on the potential of them actually opening, especially with the funding they got years back”. With a tone of frustration, overall opinions and sentiments are still hopeful for further revitalization of Sharon Springs.

In November, Hoshino took action with the first step to allow any proposed plans, which was to approach the Village of Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board with a specialty zoning request and PDD (Planned Development District) for this area in question. If that is approved, the Village Board would then adjust the zoning law and plans would begin with other agencies.

The PDD proposes an “onsen ryokan”, which Hoshino currently operates 25 worldwide with an additional 32 properties featuring hot spring facilities. This would be their “first new development property in the United States, and the flagship for its establishment of the onsen ryokan segment in the United States”.

The PPD Narrative also states, “The onsen ryokan experience specializes in meeting the guests’ needs for an immersive, holistically designed Japanese hot spring resort experience, and so the resort facilities would not be open to the public, including the on-site restaurant. The proposed resort’s layout includes an arrival area with guest parking and a check in house, all of which are situated at some distance from the main resort area where it is envisioned guests will spend most of their time while at the resort. Upon check in, guests would be guided to the main resort area by staff with facility vehicles.”

The amount of steps for approval in this process are numerous and extensive but the representatives of Hoshino Resort already have the ball rolling and appear to be taking actions forward while making efforts to positively position themselves in the community.

With matters like these, it is important to understand the full picture and remain informed throughout the process. Remember that you can always stay up to date by viewing the Town of Sharon and Village of Sharon Springs Board Meetings on Schopeg.com, click “Video On Demand”. Look out for more updates as we continue to cover this ongoing and rapidly developing story!