A compromise plan on a massive resort project in the Catskills should receive serious consideration by the Ulster County Legislature before the proposal goes through the complex process of obtaining permits.
While the county does not have final say on construction, the project will have significant impacts on residents. Legislators should influence the conversation.
The original development plan for 1,960 acres near the Belleayre ski resort is too massive. Dean Gitter's plan for two golf courses, five restaurants, a conference center, two spas, a hotel with 400 rooms and a 351-unit time-share facility plus 300 parking spaces would have an adverse effect on the environment and quality of life in the region.
Gitter has since said he would discuss modifying the plan with anyone, as long as the final product is economically viable. It's a reasonable offer.
U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, has presented one idea. It would protect the eastern portion of the parcel, which provides critical protection against flooding, while allowing reduced development in the western portion. It eliminates any possibility of a casino on the site and presents three development options for the western parcel, including residential, resort community or outdoor recreation attractions. The state would purchase 1,242 acres of the eastern land, which would be added to the Catskill Forest Preserve.
This is at least a start and should get people to the negotiating table.
Protect NYC water
Protecting the region's watershed is critical. It provides unfiltered drinking water for 9 million people, most in New York City. If the system were to become contaminated, it would require building a multibillion-dollar filtration system.
At the same time, the region needs to boost tourism and economic development. Ulster recently instituted an unprecedented 39 percent tax increase on residents.
Recently, the county Legislature sent Hinchey's proposal back to committee for more information. It should not linger there. While obviously more thorough analysis of any proposal will be done through the extensive environmental review process, the Legislature should take a leadership role and weigh in on this project.
Gitter has a proven track record. He owns the Emerson Inn in Mount Tremper, which in 2005 was rated the most outstanding inn in the country by the travel magazine Conde Nast. After fire destroyed the Emerson, he quickly opened a new facility in Woodstock. He's already spent $20 million on the Belleayre project during the past five years.
The planning process is extensive. In preliminary reviews, an administrative law judge cited 12 flaws in the Belleayre proposal. Gitter is challenging them, while environmentalists filed six additional challenges regarding the same decision.
Battling 18 aspects of this proposal out in court for years will not serve anyone. Instead, local jurisdictions should act to protect residents' interests — both environmentally and economically. The Shandaken town board recently opposed Hinchey's plan, saying it took too much land off the tax roll. It's hoped the Legislature takes a more-reasonable approach and embraces a compromise effort to move this project forward.
Final approval for the project is needed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Any development at this site should be thoroughly scrutinized. Much is at stake. But the sooner local leaders, residents and the developer can meet and talk about compromises, the sooner plans can move forward. Everyone deserves that.

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