FORESTBURGH — The Forestburgh Planning Board voted to approve the 42-unit Grand Luxury Retreat following completion of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process at its meeting Tuesday, issuing a determination that the project will not result in significant adverse environmental impacts.

The board first adopted a negative declaration under the SEQRA process, concluding that a full environmental impact statement was not required. After closing the public hearing with no speakers signed up to comment, members proceeded to grant both special use permit and site plan approval for the project.

The approvals are subject to standard conditions, including compliance with outstanding comments from the town engineer and receipt of required outside agency approvals. Board members noted that no building permits will be issued until those conditions are satisfied.

With the SEQRA determination completed and the public hearing closed, the board moved directly to a resolution granting the approvals.

What is The Grand Luxury Retreat?

The Grand Luxury Retreat, proposed for the former Forestburgh Country Club property in the town’s Residential-Recreation (RR) zoning district, will consist of 42 high-end cabin units arranged across the former golf course layout.

According to the applicant’s presentation, the development includes:

•32 one-bedroom cabins

•10 two-bedroom cabins

•Renovation of the existing clubhouse into a lodge facility

•A 6,500-square-foot spa building

•A 3,900-square-foot event center for conferences and gatherings

•Approximately 130 parking spaces

•Hiking trails integrated along former cart paths

The applicant’s engineer told the board the project will utilize on-site wells for water supply and a subsurface septic system. Applications are pending before the New York State Department of Health for public water supply approval and before the Department of Environmental Conservation for a SPDES permit related to wastewater discharge.

The stormwater system is designed using bioretention practices intended to comply with the 2025 state stormwater management manual, and exterior lighting is proposed to be dark-sky compliant