The Spa at New Castle Gets a Scope

A draft scope, a major review document for the proposed redevelopment of the Legionaries of Christ site, has been submitted to New Castle and is the subject of feedback.

The scope for the project, which is called The Spa at New Castle, is an early document for the proposal's environmental review. A scope involves what will be included in a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), according to the New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR). 

On Tuesday, members of the town board met with representatives for the project for discussion about the process. It was agreed that the board would comment on the draft scope, with the applicant's representation corresponding with town staff regarding it. It was also agreed that the board will vote on Dec. 10 to schedule a public hearing for the scope, and there were suggestions that it could be held in January, which is when three new board members join. Additionally, the scope will be posted on the town's website.

The Spa at New Castle proposes the creation of 50, 2-bedroom condos and 34 hotel rooms. This would involve demolishing two wings attached to the site's existing mansion and replacing them. The condos would be in the new wings while most of the hotel rooms would be in a new southern structure, with some in the mansion. The project will include a spa, a restaurant, a pool and courts for tennis and basketball. 

The proposal's site is roughly 97 acres and is in the Bedford Central School District. It would be developed Soder Real Estate Equities, LLC. The project's petition involves rezoning the property - it is currently just for 2-acre single-family homes - to allow for a floating zone with a "Resort Lifestyle Complex."

Soder's Stephen Oder came to the board to give another overview of the project, calling it something for people looking for a “wellness lifestyle.” Oder described the property as currently being in “relative shambles" and added that he wants to bring it back to its life.

“It shouldn't exist like that," Oder said, at one point in the meeting, about its condition.

At the meeting, project was reacted to with concern from some residents who live near the site.

Bonnie Haymson, for example, felt there were things that should not be in located in a residential area. She named lighting as a concern. Oder, who repeatedly talked about reaching out to neighbors, offered to visit her property.