New Resort Proposed For Sharon Springs

By Chris English

SHARON SPRINGS _ The Sharon Springs Joint Planning Board is considering a new resort on a 50-acre parcel at Main Street and Beechwood Road in the Village of Sharon Springs.

The JPB went over elements of the plan — mainly related to the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) requirements — at its Wednesday, July 16 meeting. Only two members of the board were present so the meeting was for presentation and informational purposes only and not to make any decisions.

The SSJPB — the lead agency for the proposal — will eventually consider signing off on a SEQR, hold a public hearing on the matter and consider approval.

According to a memo from Mary Beth Bianconi of Delaware Engineering, who is consulting with and advising the JPB on the proposal, Hoshino Resorts is proposing a Japanese hot spring inn for the site. The project, which will be open to resort guests and staff only, includes a shop, library, lounge, bar, multifunction space, all-day dining area, fine-dining restaurant, a spa including meditation baths and room for individual spa treatments.

The Bianconi memo continues that the facility will also include 30 guest room units, each with its own outdoor heated mineral water bath. Back of house operations will include staff housing, offices, laundry, storage, mechanical and maintenance facilities and other staff support facilities.

Also proposed are passive recreation trails and open space area, as well as infrastructure both on and off site to support the proposed project including but not limited to water, sewer, stormwater, transportation, lighting and landscaping.

At the July 16 meeting, a representative for Hoshino Resorts went over a long checklist of SEQR items and made comments indicating he did not think the project would have significant negative impacts in terms of traffic, air quality and several other items.

Bianconi attended the meeting and had several suggestions for the developer on things the JPB needs more information or clarification on. They included information on how the water will be heated and how microbiologicals will be protected against.

"Will this be in harmony with things around it?," said Bianconi, noting one question the planning board needs to answer for itself. "You want to make sure whatever is done here does not have a big impact."