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YORKTOWN, N.Y. – Plans for the proposed Sanctuary Golf Course along Route 118 will be revisited Tuesday night by the Yorktown Town Board, nearly two decades after it was initially proposed.
“When I came in I was a young man,” said property owner Thomas Sung, who estimated the plan has been in the works for at least 16 years. “I’m actually not doing this for myself anymore, because I know my lifetime is short. I’m doing this to make sure there’s something for other people.”
The applicant had to return to the board and reopen the public hearing after revising the site plan for an additional tennis court and paddle court.
“Once you come in for a change in a plan, you’re subjecting yourself to new storm water regulations from the DEC or DEP, which adds for another layer of discussion, and unfortunately that has occupied us,” attorney Al Capellini said.
The new plan also includes a retaining wall adjacent to the tennis courts, landscaping plans for several areas, a lighting plan and alternate access to the site from Locke Lane.
The front-nine holes of the golf course have been shaped and contoured, and would be playable with proper landscaping, Sung said. The remaining holes and the tennis court/retaining wall would be the final phase of the project.
Supervisor Michael Grace said he was excited to move the project along and open the public hearing as soon as possible.
“I’ve always been looking forward to resurrecting that property,” Grace said. “It’s a junk of a piece of property, hopefully we can do anything we can to revitalize it.”
The board will advertise the public hearing at Tuesday night’s meeting, which will then be held at its next scheduled meeting Oct. 16.
Comments (2)
My major complaint about this news service is the lack of depth and background. This is a major story and all we get is a quote or two that say build it. What about the fact that the property has been fallow for years, or that tons of earth movement took place in the early years? What about the fact that the entire slope drains into the croton reservoir? What about the fact that this property borders Yorktowns turkey mtn park? Or even the historical, like the Lydia Locke estate turned private country club and ski area, followed for a time by an alcohol rehab center. Are there other options for this site? Should new york purchase to protect a degrading watershed? Should Yorktown purchase to expand the park? Should Yorktown approve a golf course at this time in history, when golf courses are closing nationwide? Lots to think about!
Thank you for your comments.