Mulvihill wants two hotels on Route 94

VERNON-The next time representatives from Sussex National Development come before the Vernon Township Planning Board, concepts will become proposals and Vernon could be looking forward to two more hotels on the Route 94 corridor. Or not. On Feb. 22, the board examined a concept plan from Sussex National Development, spearheaded by Andrew Mulvihill, who proposes to develop the Sammis Farm property on Route 94 with two hotels, one of 200 rooms and the other of 30 rooms. The property straddles Route 94 just north of Mountain Creek South, with 55 acres running between the Black Creek and the roadway, and an additional 10 acres opposite it on the south side. The area is close to the The Appalachian now going up at Mountain Creek. Such "piggyback" projects aimed at profiting from close proximity to a resort complex are common in other towns in which Mountain Creek's owner, Intrawest, has put down roots. The proposed project would meet all zoning regulations, including wetlands setbacks and sewer allocations. But it wasn't greeted with open arms by the planning board, who expressed worries about both the rapid pace of construction in the town and the viability of the proposal. "I am very concerned with this type of project with so much else on our plate," board member John Logan said. "Vernon is developing into a premier community, and at some point people might say ‘enough.' Mountain Creek and Intrawest is a large-scale multi-phased project that will take long-term management, and I am concerned that this proposal might create problems going forward with Mountain Creek." Mulvihill said his project would include an indoor athletic facility that would house several multi-purpose fields and courts. The grounds surrounded the proposed facility would focus on sports-driven amenities like soccer and lacrosse fields, as well as baseball diamonds. Mulvihill said he'd attempt to build the hotels and recreation complex simultaneously, but conceded that the cost of the project might force him to build the hotels first and the fields later. He said there were no plans at present for residential housing, but he would not rule out the possibility of coming back in the future to seek permission to build high-end resort housing. "The public will be driven to this area based on the overall (Vernon) area and its features," Mulvihill said. "We would host larger, high-end tournaments in a variety of sports." Mulvihill's father, Gene, has a long history in Vernon, formerly being involved in Mountain Creek when it was known as Great Gorge and the Legends resort. Because of business problems, bankruptcies and promises that didn't always materialize, there is a deep skepticism about him in the town. But the Mulvihills have also developed Crystal Springs and its complex of five highly rated golf courses, including Ballyowen, which has been named the top public course in New Jersey. Housing developments around the Crystal Springs and Wild Turkey courses in Hardyston have helped keep that township's tax rate level without adding to the burden on the schools; just 60 children, Mulvihill said, from 600 units. Mulvihill's said his experience in Hardyston will drive the proposed Vernon development. The two hotels would would be linked with all of the amenities associated with Crystal Springs: golf experience, several high-end restaurants, skiing, and a spa, all within what he termed "the Crystal Springs experience." "We want to build something that fits the rural character of Vernon," he said. "We will show Vernon something that knocks its socks off." One of the Crystal Springs properties is the Minerals Hotel and Spa, just a little further west on Route 90 from his proposed development. Under questioning by the board, Mulvihill said that hotel runs at 40 percent of capacity, leading some members to wonder whether there was a need for even more rooms. Looming over the project is the Village at Mountain Creek, which will, when completed, add more than 1,000 resort homes to the area. Intrawest, the developer, is a multinational corporation that operates many highly successful and critically acclaimed resorts. One, Whistler Blackcomb, has been called by at least one critic the number one resort destination in North America. "I want to interject some real caution to the board," Logan said. "We have a real opportunity with Intrawest, and I don't want to screw it up by being hasty." Logan, a former Vernon mayor, said his overall opinion of Minerals Hotel so far has been disappointing, adding that, "Vernon deserves the premium treatment." "We tend to be the guys who make things happen," Mulvihill said in response. "And here is an opportunity for the township to bring in a tax-positive ratable. We will bring our quality to this site." Besides wondering about the need for yet two more hotels, board member Mark Vizzini brought up issues of traffic and parking for the hotel. In the concept plan, the parking for the 200-unit hotel is located between the front of the hotel and the road. The board suggested moving the parking underground or behind the hotel to so that travelers will see the building and not a sea of cars and pavement. As for the next step in the process, the developers took suggestions from the board regarding underground parking, a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study, and a full traffic impact study. They must refine their plan in order to file for a preliminary site plan approval from the town.