NEVERSINK –– Over 60 years ago, Architectural Developer Jonathan Leitersdorf’s grandfather purchased 3,150 acres in the Town of Neversink, with the intent of developing a ski resort. However, after not being granted a liquor license, as Neversink was a dry town at the time, his grandfather decided not to move forward with the project.

Leitersdorf’s family has maintained the land, and in the post-COVID world, with the high volume of people leaving the big cities for the countryside, he is continuing his grandfather’s legacy, with hopes of developing the property into what would be known as Kerilands.

The site is located in Willowemoc, and is about 20 minutes east of Livingston Manor and positioned between Pole  Road, Hunter Road and Blue Hill Road.

The local community will get to hear a presentation about the proposed project followed by a public comment period, during a special meeting of the Neversink Town Board that is set for this Tuesday, July 12.

Tuesday’s meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Claryville Fire Hall. There is currently a folder dedicated to the proposed project, including a presentation given in May 2021, on the Town’s website (townofneversink.org).

Leitersdorf is the founder of Savanna Partners, a New York-based real estate firm, as well as president and owner of Marcent, a land and commercial real estate firm in Orlando, Florida. He has over 30 years of experience in global real estate and development projects.

His most recent project is Six Senses Ibiza, a resort and residential community off the coast of Spain. Six Senses was voted the world’s Best Hotel Brand for three consecutive years, from 2017 to 2019 by Travel+Leisure magazine.

With Kerilands, Leitersdorf has brought planning, architecture and landscape architecture firm Hart Howerton, who specializes in working in sensitive environmental locations and creating conservation-based destinations, on board to assist with the proposed project.

Two possibilities

There are currently two possible options on the table as to what Leitersdorf’s property could become. He is currently seeking a zoning change from the Town, so that he can develop his preferred choice, a conservation-based development (only using 25 percent or less of the land) that would maintain the vast majority of the property as open space, allowing for recreation and outdoor activities such as running trails, biking trails, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, etc., that the local community would also be able to utilize.

According to Hart Howerton CEO Jim Tinson, that option would be achieved through a zoning change that creates an overlay district allowing a clustered, conservation-oriented project.

“We strongly believe this careful mix of uses and approach to sensitively developing the property is best for the 3,150 acres of land, the Town and surrounding community,” said Tinson.

However, if the Town and community are not in favor of that option, Leitersdorf would propose a private, approximately 297-lot residential development, which might be achieved under the Town’s current zoning which labels the area where Leitersdorf’s property is located as a Residential Commercial Mixed Use zone. With that option, all open space would be privatized among the 297 homeowners.

Under the conservation-based development, Leitersdorf says the project would be centered around longevity and health.

He also plans for Kerilands to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.

Leitersdorf sees Kerilands as being a year-round community, with people following recent trends of making quick trips into the city for a show or to see friends, before spending the majority of their time at their country residence.

Having applied a similar concept in Ibiza, which is typically a more seasonal destination, Leitersdorf explained that due to the programming offered at Six Senses, people have been coming year round to “get connected.”

“Part of our philosophy is three connections - connect to yourself, connect to others and connect to nature,” said Leitersdorf. “We want to take that concept and [bring] it to Kerilands.”

When asked about the potential economic impact of the project, Leitersdorf said the sales tax would be “incredible.”

“It’s going to be wonderful for the county to offer a highly sustainable community living both from construction and lifestyle aspects,” he said. 

Special meeting

Town of Neversink Supervisor Chris Mathews told the Democrat that the town board is learning everything they can about Kerilands, and have hired outside attorneys and planners to help advise them through the project.

He said that Tuesday’s special meeting of the town board is for the public to share how they feel about the proposed project.

“We remain open-minded to all concerns - the developers and the community,” said Mathews.