Planning board sides with residents on RV resort plan in Oakfield
About a dozen Fox Road residents showed up to the Genesee County Planning Board meeting last night to express opposition to a proposed RV campground in their neighborhood.
The board listened and went against the original recommendation to OK the project and voted to recommend disapproval of the application.
That means the Oakfield Town Board will need a majority-plus-1 vote to approve a special-use permit for the project to go forward.
Mike Dilcher wants to build a campground that will eventually hold 268 sites on 30 acres.
Opponents said such a dense campground will spoil their idyllic neighborhood, as well as run the risk of causing wells to run dry, potentially polluting the area creek and groundwater as well as greatly increase traffic on Fox Road.
"I think our main concern is the water because on Fox Road, we're all on wells, obviously," Fred Oaksford said. "Even though the town has applied for a water district, that's at least three years away."
After expressing concern about potential dramatic increase in traffic and decrease in property values, Bob Chamberlain said the development would totally change the character of the neighborhood.
"This will destroy a residential neighborhood that is really a very beautiful neighborhood," Chamberlain said.
Dilcher presented the board with letters from five Oakfield businesses that support the campground, saying the RV resort would be a much needed boost to the local economy.
Before the vote, Board Member Berney Staats said the board should take no action on the application.
"I wouldn't feel comfortable voting for it and I wouldn't feel comfortable not voting for it," Staats said. "I believe people have a right to do what they want with their property. I think people have property rights, but I don't feel comfortable with it."
County Planner Jim Duval pointed out, however, that if the board didn't take action, the Town of Oakfield board could approve the permit with no modifications.
At that point, Bob Bennett made a motion for disapproval, which passed 8-0.
