Oneonta planning board approves campground
May 20—The Oneonta Planning Board approved Fred and Dana Clappers' site plan application Monday, May 20 to build a campground on their property, a plan that drew the ire of some of the neighbors.
The board voted 5-1 to declare a negative State Environmental Quality Review Act, and again voted 5-1 to approve the Clappers' site plan with conditions.
Board member Reggie McGuinness voted no both times, and Jenny Koehn recused herself from the discussion and vote because she lives near the property.
"I respectfully say nay," McGuinness said. "I appreciate all the comments the board made and I totally support farming. This is new to the town and I need more information."
The board discussed each question on the short form of the Full Environmental Assessment Form, and the site plan.
McGuinness said she felt there was a moderate to large impact to the the existing community if the campground was built. The other five members — Edward Dower, Daniel Baker, Breck Tarbell, Joseph Camarata and Robert Lishansky — felt there would be a small impact on the existing community.
One of the bigger impacts in the community would be increased traffic, the board said.
One of the conditions the board imposed on the Clappers was to ensure everyone who exits their property turns right by placing right-hand turn only signs at the end of their driveway.
Dana Clapper asked what would happen if people turned left. It was suggested to design the driveway to encourage only right-hand turns.
Another condition was that the Clappers will have to keep all buffer vegetation barriers on their property. The third condition was that cabin sizes have to adhere to the dimensions proposed in the site plan — they cannot get any bigger.
The Clappers proposed to build seven cabins and a bathhouse at their Clapper's Maple Ridge Ranch at 184 Lower Reservoir Road, according to Daily Star archives. The cabins will be built in two phases, for this year and three next year.
The cabins fit four people and would not have bathrooms. A bathhouse would serve as both a bathroom facility and outdoor wash station for cooking and meal dishes, Fred Clapper said previously.
Prior to the vote, members went into a closed door session to discuss a letter it received "from a petitioner's attorney asking us to stay the decision of the site plan until the ZBA action was pending," Town Attorney Rob Panasci said. However, it didn't apply to the town in this case.
Vicky Klukkert, staff writer, can be reached at vklukkert@thedailystar.com or 607-441-7221.
