(Nov. 17, 2016) Back in August, attorney Hugh Cropper, representing the Carl M. Freeman Companies, sent a letter to Berlin Mayor Gee Williams promising the town that it would be the first to know when the company firmed its redevelopment plans for the Bay Club.
In a letter dated Monday, Aug. 22, Cropper said “I have committed to a presentation at an open session at the Berlin Mayor and Council prior to any filings.”
However, during a Berlin Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Planning Director Dave Engelhart said “the Bay Club property” had asked to go before the Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals to discuss “a special exception to create 434 campsites.”
Worcester County Zoning Administrator Jennifer Keener confirmed that the Bay Club would be on the Dec. 8 agenda for the board of zoning appeals.
“It’s going to have significant impact on the town if it’s granted,” Engelhart said. “I’m puzzled why they didn’t come to us first.
“[The developer] said in a letter … that before they did this they would come to the town and give them a concept presentation – that has not happened,” Engelhart added.
During a phone interview last Friday, Williams downplayed the situation.
“I found about this late yesterday afternoon, and I found out about it because the county always lets us know anything happening in the Berlin area – we’ve always worked together well,” he said. “The hearing is not until Dec. 8, so there are at least two meetings of the regular session of the mayor and council for them to come … to explain what they have in mind.
“Quite frankly, I take the folks for their word,” Williams added. “These are not unknown people to us, [both] their local legal representation and this development company are very well respected.”
In an email on Wednesday, Cropper said he had, in fact, mailed a letter to Williams, last week, along with a copy of the zoning appeals application.
“I am ready to meet with the mayor, and/or the mayor and city council, at their convenience,” Cropper said.
In a letter dated Monday, Aug. 22, Cropper said “I have committed to a presentation at an open session at the Berlin Mayor and Council prior to any filings.”
However, during a Berlin Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9, Planning Director Dave Engelhart said “the Bay Club property” had asked to go before the Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals to discuss “a special exception to create 434 campsites.”
Worcester County Zoning Administrator Jennifer Keener confirmed that the Bay Club would be on the Dec. 8 agenda for the board of zoning appeals.
“It’s going to have significant impact on the town if it’s granted,” Engelhart said. “I’m puzzled why they didn’t come to us first.
“[The developer] said in a letter … that before they did this they would come to the town and give them a concept presentation – that has not happened,” Engelhart added.
During a phone interview last Friday, Williams downplayed the situation.
“I found about this late yesterday afternoon, and I found out about it because the county always lets us know anything happening in the Berlin area – we’ve always worked together well,” he said. “The hearing is not until Dec. 8, so there are at least two meetings of the regular session of the mayor and council for them to come … to explain what they have in mind.
“Quite frankly, I take the folks for their word,” Williams added. “These are not unknown people to us, [both] their local legal representation and this development company are very well respected.”
In an email on Wednesday, Cropper said he had, in fact, mailed a letter to Williams, last week, along with a copy of the zoning appeals application.
“I am ready to meet with the mayor, and/or the mayor and city council, at their convenience,” Cropper said.