Fremont to consider approval of new Tennanah Lake development

By TOM KANE

FREMONT CENTER, NY — The new owner of the Tennanah Lake development went before the Fremont Planning Board on September 29 at a public hearing for preliminary approval of an 18-lot subdivision.

Wood Lake Trails Estates at Tennanah Lake, a development of 1,000 acres owned by Burton Handlesman of West Palm Beach, FL and the Love’s Tee-Time LLC of White Plains, NY, was given encouragement by the planning board to move ahead with the approval project.

The owner operates the existing Tennanah Lake Golf and Tennis Club.

“We wanted to see their preliminary plat layout, plans for storm-water management, and roads and buildings,” said planning board chairman Leonard Bauer.

Despite efforts by Handlesman and his associates to have the project receive preliminary approval at the hearing, the board’s attorney, Ira Cohen, town engineer, Robert Meyer and planning consultant Tom Shepstone urged the board to follow the legal process.

The developer must return to the next meeting of the board on October 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall.

Handlesman said he was beginning to clear trees to install a mile-long road. He also said there are 10 miles of horse trails that he will resurrect.

The developer has submitted a proposal for an Empire Zone that would provide a tax benefit for its golf and tennis courts, a proposed hotel and spa, the expansion of the current motel and an antique auction with other year-round shops.

The application, which has been submitted to the state, would create 260 jobs, according to Handlesman.

“My main concern was about the remaining acreage of the property and what plans the developer has for it,” said Fremont resident Jeffrey Moore. “Will it be developed in the future or given over to open space? I didn’t hear any discussion of this important issue.”

Moore expected that the project would fit into a comprehensive plan the town had for such development projects.

Handlesman said he had no plans for the remaining acreage.