Oki-Do is back: Developer applies for dredging permit

A holistic center known as Oki-Do is proposed for this former oyster processing plant in East Marion. (Credit: Jen Nuzzo)

Nearly six years after its draft environmental impact statement was deemed inadequate by the Southold Town Planning Board, the proposed Shizen Hotel Wellness Center and Spa, also known locally as the Oki-Do, is again making waves in East Marion.

Dr. Kazuko Tatsumura Hillyer, the owner of the bayfront property at the end of Shipyard Lane, filed a dredging permit application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Aug. 12.

But members of the Southold Town Planning Board, which has served as lead agency for the environmental review process, and the Board of Trustees said this week that they hadnt been notified about the dredging permit application until after neighbors of the proposed spa received a public notice from the Army Corps.

Dr. Hillyer, a resident of New York City, first proposed building the holistic center on the 18.7-acre former oyster processing plant property along Gardiners Bay in 2003.

The proposal, which has been described as larger than any existing health spa on Long Island, includes 114 guest rooms, a 195-seat restaurant and bar and a second private restaurant with up to 99 additional seats, 27 spa suites, a pool, three gazebos, a gift shop and a man-made lake. A total of 28 buildings has been proposed for the site.

The site plan application also includes replacement of the existing bulkhead on the property and the dredging of a 16-slip private marina.

Town planning officials said Dr. Hillyer has not submitted a revised environmental impact study to the town since the initial document was rejected in 2008. They said the only contact theyve had with Dr. Hillyer since November 2008 came in February 2013, after the town contacted her to say the site plan application would be withdrawn due to inactivity. She responded 10 days later to say she intended to continue the site plan process, officials said.

When reached via email last week, Dr. Hillyer, who holds a doctorate in oriental medicine from the International Academy of Education, said she was traveling and deferred comment to her attorney, Patricia Moore of Southold.

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Oki-Do is back: Developer applies for dredging permit