ROCK HILL — The Hamaspik Resort project in Rock Hill at the former Ramada Inn Sullivan Events Center site faced the Thompson Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on December 14 after being referred to them by the Thompson Planning Board.

However, after the ZBA’s interpretation, the applicant is seeking legal action against the planning and zoning boards according to a letter submitted to the ZBA on December 21, 2021.

“The documents and records provided confirm that the ZBA did not have the jurisdiction to issue the requested interpretation because it had previously been made by the Town Code Enforcement Officer and Town Building Department,” said the attorney for the project Steven Barshov.

New York State Hamaspik Association (NYSHA), a non-profit, purchased the Ramada Inn hotel and conference center, The Sullivan, earlier this year.

The new owners want to operate the site as a hotel for those associated with NYSHA and a summer camp part of the year in July and August.

The Thompson Planning Board sought the interpretation of the zoning to see if the applicant met the town code for its proposed use.

The zoning board determined that the applicant’s use of the property as a hotel did not meet the code; however, the zoning board saw the application and believed that it did meet the requirements for a summer camp.

The zoning board referred the applicant back to the planning board.

In the letter, Barshov said the site has been operating as a hotel since it was bought and said it is allowed per the Thompson Building Inspector’s and building department’s interpretation.

The planning board will need to review the zoning board’s interpretation and will revisit the project in early 2022.

Avon Park
The warehouse complex known as Avon Commercial Park at Rock Hill Town Center was back at the Thompson Planning Board on December 22 to see if they have completed the paperwork needed to move forward with a public hearing.

Since the application was submitted to the planning board, it has gone through several revisions going from a two-million square feet of warehouse space to 560,000 square feet of warehouse space in two buildings.

The public hearing was contingent on the updated site plan being thoroughly reviewed by the planning board and the applicant submitting the needed documentation before the public hearing.
A public hearing has been tentatively scheduled for January 19, 2022, pending that the applicant finish a noise study within the first week of the new year.