Planning Board Hears Widespread Concerns Over Proposed Goey Straits Campground
By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
HARTWICK
Concerns over traffic, water resources, emergency services and economic impacts dominated discussion at the Hartwick Planning Board meeting on September 1 as residents weighed in on the proposed Goey Straits Campground, a 76-unit RV resort planned for the hillside across from Cooperstown Dreams Park. Approximately 25-30 residents attended the meeting, many voicing opposition to the project during an extended public hearing.
The proposal, presented by Napierala Consulting, calls for 76 prefabricated park-model RV units placed on permanent pads with individual water, electric and septic connections. Plans also include recreational amenities, a swimming pool, a gated entrance and internal roadways. Project representatives said the terraced design would preserve views of the Dreams Park ballfields while utilizing on-site infrastructure, including a new well and septic systems.
A major focus of the evening was traffic along State Highway 28 and Goey Pond Road. Traffic engineer Gordon Stansbury of GTS Consulting, who said he has completed more than 1,300 traffic studies throughout New York State, presented findings indicating that the development would generate approximately 30-40 vehicle trips during peak hours and would have “no significant impact from this development” on existing roadway operations.
Many residents challenged that conclusion, arguing that the study did not reflect real-world conditions during the Dreams Park’s busiest periods.
Amanda Powers described difficulties already experienced when entering Highway 28 from Goey Pond Road.
“I stop at the top of the hill to turn because I don’t want somebody coming over and slamming into me because they come over the hill too fast,” Powers said.
She added that during peak Dreams Park periods, traffic backups extend “way beyond Goey Pond Road.”
Daniel Powers echoed those concerns, saying the area’s relatively low accident rate could change if additional traffic is introduced.
“When you start adding a whole bunch of cars, well that changes things,” he said.
Several speakers also raised concerns about emergency response capabilities and whether local fire, ambulance, and law enforcement agencies could adequately serve another large seasonal development.
Hartwick Town Councilmember Caren Kelsey questioned whether existing emergency services have the capacity to respond effectively.
“We are very limited with the number of people that we have, and I think it’s just going to be impossible to accommodate what’s going to have to be up there,” Kelsey said.
Questions surrounding water supply and septic capacity generated some of the strongest reactions of the evening.
David Petri, who said he worked in the area for several years, pointed to the natural springs found throughout the hillside.
“That whole hillside is full of springs,” Petri said. “I don’t think it’s a wise move to allow this to take place.”
Dennis Elliott shared concerns based on his experience living near the Dreams Park, recalling changes that occurred after the ballpark first opened.
“When Dreams Park first opened, they started a lot of pumping. I have a spring at my house; it dried up,” Elliott said. “You’re gonna bring that much more in to take out of the aquifer.”
Residents repeatedly questioned whether the project’s well system could place additional strain on local groundwater supplies and whether wastewater disposal systems could impact nearby environmental resources, including the Susquehanna River Watershed and Goey Pond.
Economic concerns were another central theme throughout the hearing. Several residents argued that the development could draw revenue away from locally-owned campgrounds, short-term rentals and lodging businesses.
Mike Gladstone questioned whether the project would provide meaningful benefits to the local economy, noting that out-of-area ownership could limit the revenue that remains in the Town of Hartwick.
Others worried that family-run campgrounds and residents who rely on seasonal rental income could face increased competition from a large resort-style development.
Marcy Birch urged officials to consider broader economic planning and ways for Hartwick to capture a larger share of tourism-generated revenue.
“Visitors bring $435 million into the county every year,” Birch said. “And $225 million of that is spent on lodging.”
She encouraged town officials to explore opportunities related to sales tax revenue, occupancy taxes, and other funding mechanisms that could help support local infrastructure and services.
Residents also raised concerns about Goey Pond itself, with speakers warning that increased visitation could place pressure on one of the area’s most popular outdoor destinations. Several noted the pond’s significance as a recreational resource and its relationship to local water supplies.
Discussion occasionally expanded beyond the campground itself to larger planning issues in Hartwick. Former town officials and residents referenced the town’s comprehensive planning efforts from 2009 and 2010, arguing that stronger land-use regulations could help address future development proposals and provide clearer guidance on growth along the Route 28 corridor.
Before the meeting concluded, project representatives said they would provide written responses to many of the questions raised by residents. Planning Board members also discussed obtaining an independent engineering review of project materials and requested additional evaluation of traffic-related issues.
The board learned that a feasibility study for the project estimated the campground would create nine jobs, with four or five of those positions expected to be year-round.
Following discussion, the Planning Board voted to table the application while it continues its review process and seeks additional guidance from legal and engineering professionals. No decision on the project was made.
The Hartwick Planning Board typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month. With the application now tabled and several major questions still under review, many residents left Town Hall awaiting the next chapter in what is shaping up to be one of the town’s most closely watched development proposals in recent years.
