The decision for one of the biggest plans for development in Hinsdale (Massachusetts) history is scheduled to be made in 2022, not this year, according to a report.
The Hinsdale Zoning Board of Appeals continued to work on Tuesday to look into a Michigan company’s request for a permit that will allow the company to transform Camp Emerson on Longview Avenue into a national park with 317 sites for campers with RVs.
Additionally, a consultant employed for the town, DPC Engineering LLC, released a report on Tuesday regarding sewer and water issues that were not thoroughly examined.
“The meeting will be continued,” said Jeffrey Viner, the ZBA’s chairman. The panel voted to suspend the review until 6:30 p.m. on January 11.
Jeffrey Scrimo, the local attorney of Northgate Resort Ventures LLC, explained that since additional documents were still being prepared, the company plans to present the material at a future ZBA meeting. The ZBA usually holds a meeting every two weeks. However, Scrimo said the company wanted to respond to the board’s questions this week.
The panel focused on issues of sewer connection fees, traffic, probable campground occupancy, and local hiring, in addition to other things.
Scrimo asked Northgate whether the campground (if approved) would seek to expand and if it would be willing to accept a limit on the size, it can allow.
Chelsea Bossenbroek, the company’s general counsel, stated that the current size requested (317 sites) is a “sweet spot.”
David Prickett of DPC Engineering LLC highlighted six issues the town needs to consider regarding the application. One of them was that the town ask Northgate to reply to comments submitted, address “pinch points” in traffic, as well as consider the impact the project will have on sewer infrastructure, and particularly, think about making it mandatory for Northgate to pay for a sewer and water connection fee.
It’s a major development,” Prickett said. “So, I would encourage the town to make that a condition should we move forward.”
Bossenbroek said the company would have to review the costs of connection. She also said that they would show Hinsdale an overview of the likely capacity of the campsite during a season. One participant noted that, according to what was declared, the campsite could accommodate 1,200 people at once and in a town that has less than 2,000 inhabitants.
Resident Eric M. Goidel asked the board to look into the impact the camp would have on living conditions in Hinsdale as well as on the town’s sewer and water infrastructure.
Isn’t it exciting news! The Zoning Board might delve into environmental impact assessments for Northgate RV Park. Join in on January 11 to share thoughts on this thrilling development!