While Maho Bay Camps' Stanley Selengut is getting ready to close his eco-resort, Coral Bay’s Hugo Roller is on his way to creating a new one.
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources has given Roller the green light to pursue a green resort venture. Approval by the Legislature is still necessary.
“Resort” may be too strong a word. Roller currently farms vegetables, herbs, fruits, and landscaping plants on about three acres in Coral Bay. He owns another 11 acres which he would like to have as a campground.
In June of last year, the St. John Source said Roller wanted “to build a multi-use commercial area with business and residential units.” Plans showed 13 two-story tree house structures with bathrooms. Neighbors worried it was too much.
In the recent hearing before DPNR, neighbors again objected to the project’s scope. Roller agreed to restrict his project to five campsites per acre. He also agreed to prohibit outdoor amplifiers.