A resort does not belong in a community.
 

Terramor is seeking a Special Use Permit from the town of Saugerties for a proposed Glamping Resort in a neighborhood community.  Located along NYS Route 212 between South Peak Veterinary Hospital and Glasco Turnpike, the 77-acre resort is designed for up to 270 visitors per day and will endanger over 9 acres of wetlands. Many of the 90 proposed structures are planned within 100 feet of the border of private residences in a Medium-Density designated area.

The proposed structures include 75 campsites, each with a private bathroom, shower and firepit, a 4,000 square foot event lodge, its own bar + restaurant, an oversized swimming pool, a 28-person dormitory, maintenance building, a wellness center and a dog park.

​

Following is the purpose of the Special Use Permit review process, as outlined in section § 245-34 of the Saugerties Zoning Code:

(1) ... to set forth additional requirements which shall apply to certain land uses and activities which, due to their characteristics or the special characteristics of the area in which they are to be located, require special consideration so that they may be properly located and planned with respect to the objectives of this chapter and their effect on the surrounding properties and community character.

(2) The primary purpose of special use permit review is to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood and to ensure the long-  term benefit of the use to the Town."

https://ecode360.com/13646959
 

The trouble with Terramor:

​

TRAFFIC: The Terramor traffic study was performed in February, on a Thursday, during a pandemic, and therefore the results are not reliable. The addition of 270 visitors per day on an already busy section of 212 will further exacerbate the dangerous intersection of Glasco and 212 as well as significantly increasing traffic at the intersection of 375 and 212.

 

AIR CONTAMINATION: The proposal includes 75 wood fire pits and a large community wood fire pit. According to John Wargo, a Yale scientist, “the ability of very fine particles to enter indoor environments from outdoor burning is well documented. Small particles can have a strongly negative effect on human health, causing and exacerbating lung diseases, triggering cardiovascular events, cancers and premature deaths. Health loss can occur at air pollution levels well below regulatory standards”.

 

FIRE HAZARD: The location of 75 fire pits includes approximately 40 within 100 feet of the Woodstock border. The fire department responsible will be Centerville but could further strain the Woodstock Fire department as well.

 

WETLANDS LOSS: The proposal includes an “offset” of wetlands that are “very likely contiguous” between Woodstock and Saugerties. These 10 acres of vital wetlands improve water quality through natural filtration of pollutants, serving as (nature’s kidneys) as well as providing important habitat for wildlife. According to Andy Mossey from the Woodstock Land Conservancy “ The Terramor parcel has been identified by Hudsonia as an area of Climate interest and unique conservation value”

 

PESTICIDE TOXINS: Due to the wetness of this parcel, mosquitos will likely be a significant issue and require the use of pesticides. According to Chemscore the mosquito and insect pesticides (Ecolab) being proposed by Terramor have a D+ rating.

    

WELL WATER USAGE: Terramor has not provided assurances that the substantial water usage from an olympic sized swimming pool and 75 showers being used by 270 guests per day will not impact the aquifer and the shared water use with the town of Woodstock.

 

WATER RUNOFF: While the historic flooding problems on Osnas Lane were partially mitigated with recent drainage improvements, the high water table in this area cannot afford to have even more surface runoff added to it. Every extra non-permeable surface on the property will contribute to runoff.

 

HABITAT LOSS: Rather than clustering, the proposal spreads 90 structures throughout the parcel resulting in significant habitat fragmentation. The Hudson Valley Resource Mapper indicates that the development area is a known important area for rare terrestrial animals.