Sunday, April 04, 2010
Group takes new tack to open camp for girls
The Hasidic group involved in a standoff with authorities last summer over occupying the former Homowack Lodge in Sullivan County is renovating portions of the resort and attempting to get permits to run a girl's camp.
Last summer, the camp occupied the sprawling grounds in Summitville without a permit and faced off in court with the state Department of Health and the Town of Mamakating.
Officials called the buildings, which had numerous fire code and safety violations, "a death trap." The attorney general's office obtained a court order to evict the campers in August after the group refused to leave voluntarily during a several-week standoff. Ahavas Chaverim Gemilas Chesed Inc., the listed owner, has submitted plans with the town and hired Goshen attorney James Sweeney for help with getting the permits.
Sweeney confirmed that the group is seeking to reopen a girls' camp this summer, but emphasized that the owners have several hurdles to overcome. The renovations have begun, he said.
The group needs to get a special use permit from the town, variances, a zoning change and a permit from the Department of Health and clear up numerous fines and violations with the Department of Environmental Conservation.
According to plans submitted with the town, the camp would occupy three buildings known as Elite 1, Elite 2 and Paradise and several recreational areas, but not the main area of the hotel.
The application says the camp wants to use 158 rooms, and a total of around 632 people would stay there.
Sweeney said the actual number of campers would be closer to 350.
"There is a new attitude with the group," Sweeney said. "There are some new faces. There is an attitude to do what is necessary to open a girls' camp this summer."
Mamakating Supervisor Harold Baird, who has recently toured portions of the old resort, said they will be allowed to open "if they go by the rules of our town."
"They are taking the necessary steps to be a good neighbor," Baird said.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100404/NEWS/4040332
Last summer, the camp occupied the sprawling grounds in Summitville without a permit and faced off in court with the state Department of Health and the Town of Mamakating.
Officials called the buildings, which had numerous fire code and safety violations, "a death trap." The attorney general's office obtained a court order to evict the campers in August after the group refused to leave voluntarily during a several-week standoff. Ahavas Chaverim Gemilas Chesed Inc., the listed owner, has submitted plans with the town and hired Goshen attorney James Sweeney for help with getting the permits.
Sweeney confirmed that the group is seeking to reopen a girls' camp this summer, but emphasized that the owners have several hurdles to overcome. The renovations have begun, he said.
The group needs to get a special use permit from the town, variances, a zoning change and a permit from the Department of Health and clear up numerous fines and violations with the Department of Environmental Conservation.
According to plans submitted with the town, the camp would occupy three buildings known as Elite 1, Elite 2 and Paradise and several recreational areas, but not the main area of the hotel.
The application says the camp wants to use 158 rooms, and a total of around 632 people would stay there.
Sweeney said the actual number of campers would be closer to 350.
"There is a new attitude with the group," Sweeney said. "There are some new faces. There is an attitude to do what is necessary to open a girls' camp this summer."
Mamakating Supervisor Harold Baird, who has recently toured portions of the old resort, said they will be allowed to open "if they go by the rules of our town."
"They are taking the necessary steps to be a good neighbor," Baird said.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100404/NEWS/4040332
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