Blue Water Development Corp. has made changes to plans for a 302-unit RV resort at the intersection of routes 2 and 164, which border Avery Pond (Connecticut), to minimize wetlands impacts; however, those present at Tuesday’s inland wetlands public hearing remained firmly against the development.
The proposed $25-million campground and RV park under Blue Camp CT LLC, would be located on three parcels that total 65 acres belonging to Mashantucket-Pequot Tribal Nation, according to a report.
The project would include a welcome center, three bathhouses, a swimming pool, volleyball, tennis, squash, and bocce areas, a floating dock in Avery Pond, and a 12-foot-wide boardwalk near the pond.
Project Design Engineer Will Walter shared the revisions to lessen impacts on wetlands and near Avery Pond. Blue Water switched all roadways, RV parking areas, and campsites (except the ones in the entrance and welcome center areas) to gravel than asphalt. This change allowed the developer to decrease the size of stormwater retention ponds.
Furthermore, no motor vehicles would be permitted near the nine safari tent camping areas at the pond’s edge. The design engineer also said the design for the proposed elevated boardwalk was modified to “wrap around the topography” rather than disturb the soils. Only three 10-inch-diameter trees would be removed. The boardwalk would be for golf carts only, with no motor vehicles allowed.
In addition, Project Attorney Harry Heller said Blue Water would create two new wetlands, totaling 16,000 square feet, removing invasive plant species and planting native wetlands species that would provide additional wildlife habitat.
The original 314 campsites have been reduced to 302, but more changes were made since Blue Water submitted its initial wetlands application in October. Heller said that a proposed sand beach at Avery Pond in the original plan was also removed.
The Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission will continue the hearing on March 15, 7:30 p.m. at Preston Plains Middle School.
Meanwhile, the Planning and Zoning Commission will continue its public hearing on March 22 at the same location Preston Plains Middle School. The meeting will discuss special exception permits needed for the project in the town’s resort commercial and residential zones. Some parts of the property lie in each zone.
This story originally appeared on The Day.