WHITE LAKE, NY — The public expressed substantial concerns about White Lake Estates, a proposed 35-room hotel went back before the Bethel planning board for a hearing. 

After hearing an hour of comments from the community on February 5, the planning board agreed to adjourn the public hearing to its April meeting. 

An early version of the project first appeared before the planning board in September 2022 and has been making its way through the review process ever since. The applicants want to build a three-story hotel at the intersection of 17B and Mattison Road that will include amenities such as a kitchen and dining room, an indoor pool, and a mikva, a Jewish ritual bathing site. 

Attorney Jacob Billig talked about the work the project team has done throughout the year the hotel has been in development. “During that time, we’ve had hydrogeologists look at drainage and water, we’ve had traffic consultants look at traffic impacts,” he said. “We’ve had engineers review the site, drainage and all other site plan issues, and we’ve had an architect design several themes for the hotel.”

Paul Rubin, the project’s hydrogeologist, said the location of the wells has been approved. The next step is to install the wells and conduct 72-hour testing to ensure the groundwater can supply the hotel without becoming depleted. 

The project’s architect and traffic consultant were also on hand to report on the work they’ve done so far.

The hotel will be kosher and designed for the Orthodox Jewish community, Billig said. Any guest, whatever their religion, will be able to stay there, but the developer does plan to serve the Orthodox Jewish community. 

Facilities such as the restaurant and the pool will be available only to hotel guests to keep traffic volume down, Billig said.

58 comments

The planning board said the public has submitted 58 comments so far.

Smallwood resident Clay Ruede said it was “unacceptable” that rainwater runoff from the project, by way of White Lake Brook, would threaten Mountain Lake, which is located at the heart of the Smallwood community, “adding to that which already threatens it as a safe source of recreation and drinking water.”

Residents said they were concerned about the project’s traffic flow and connection to the town’s sewer system, among other issues. They said the project represents overdevelopment and is furthermore being put in the wrong place. 

“While I understand some responsible development within the watershed is inevitable, I would strongly encourage the planning board to take a comprehensive approach to its reviews with an emphasis on keeping the rural, scenic and pristine atmosphere of our town,” said Kim Sparber, a Lakeshore Drive resident.

Planning board chair Daniel Gettel asked the applicant to respond to the public’s concerns in writing. Many substantial issues were raised, he said. 

Billig objected to the adjournment, pointing to the work the team had already done to address the planning board’s concerns and requirements. But Gettel said the board needed time to review everything that had come in from the public.