Minisceongo property–Ballpark at top Photo: Peter Carr/The Journal News
The new owners of the Minisceongo Golf Course property said Wednesday their plans to develop housing on the site will respect the area’s atmosphere and history, while providing much needed housing for young families and empty-nesters.
But they are releasing no details of the proposal, saying that the specifics still have to be worked out.
Joseph Kazarnovsky of Monsey and Mark Mandelbaum, principals of Mount Ivy LLC, met with The Journal News/lohud.com on Wednesday to discuss their development ideas for the 130-acre property. The company — along with Lindifrim Limited Partnership — purchased the site for $32 million from the previous owner, Rockland developer Eric Bergstol, about a year ago.
Mandelbaum is chairman of Lanterra Developments in Toronto, Canada.
EARLIER: Ramapo’s Happy Valley alums worry history will be lost
BUYER: Monsey company behind $32 million Minisceongo purchase
SALE: Ramapo’s Minisceongo Golf Club sold after 20 years
The owners also held an invitation-only meeting with neighbors Tuesday night, during which they heard an earful of concerns from locals, who fear that the site may be turned into another high-density housing development.
“There were absolutely no specifics,” said Pomona village Mayor Brett Yagel, who attended the meeting. “They were just gauging how the audience is going to respond.”
Kazarnovsky, the former president of the Yeshiva of Spring Valley, said as a longtime Rockland resident, he understands that people are worried about overdevelopment because of other high-density projects in the area, particularly in the town of Ramapo.
“We are taking a new path, something that hasn’t been done in the past. … We’re going to preserve as much of the area as we can, yet put a housing component that’s sensible in this state and age,” Kazarnovsky said. “No one is here to preserve what things were 100 years ago. On the other hand, we have to preserve the atmosphere, the feel and the whole aspects of what this community is all about. We are not New York City. It’s not Manhattan.”
Kazarnovsky said the community would consist of townhouse-style structures along with some limited retail spaces. The number of housing units has yet to be determined, but it will probably be less than eight units per acre, he said.”
Read the complete Journal News story here.