News

Antlers, Township at odds over campsite proposal

A proposal to add 50-plus seasonal campsites outside of the Antlers on the Water, a bar and restaurant in Woodward Township, is raising eyebrows of nearby year-round residents.

Glenn and Nicky Gough, the restaurant owners, told township supervisors they want to bring 56 campsites to a spot across Antlers Lane, a small road that runs along a cornfield and provides access to year-round residents. Attempts to reach the owners of the campsite property for comment were not successful.

The zoning of the property is for agricultural purposes and the couple is permitted to put the campsites in, according to the interpretation of the township zoning ordinance by the township zoning officer Gary Knarr.

Nevertheless, several residents spoke at the most recent township supervisors' meeting, described by one supervisor as, at times, fraught with "tension."

A resident who spoke with the Sun-Gazette said he was alerted to it a day before. He said he attended and expressed his concern, most of which was about the additional noise.

In a discussion, the resident also said he was worried about the traffic, which he said could be a safety risk for those walking and living on the road.

Supervisors listened to his and other residents' concerns. There are about a half a dozen living nearest to the proposed campsite along the lane, the neighbor said.

"Supervisors are allowed and required to put restrictive conditions on the operation of the campsites if the burden or strain on the neighbors is established," township Supervisor Jeffrey Stroehmann, the board of supervisors chairman, said. "I am of the belief we need restrictive conditions."

"We have already encroached upon them with the business, which is a full-time dining facility, with added traffic and bands at night," Stroehmann said.

He said he considered the supervisors' role in this instance was to address legitimate and valid concerns of the neighbors and add conditions acceptable to the Goughs.

Marc Drier, township solicitor, is assisting in that, he said.

The township, itself, has no police force, relying on the state police for enforcement of any illegality or investigations. There is no apparent challenge to the zoning, he said.

Stroehmann noted how this will make some people happy and others not so much.

The Goughs restored the building, put money into it and the township values the operation of a full-time restaurant, but also must consider the needs of the permanent residents.

The area is near a boat launch and riverlots nearby provide a place for viewing the scenic river and the mountains. The main building near the proposed campsite was once known as the Antlers Country Club, a dance club with a liquor license that had private ballroom dances. The building was sold to builder/developer Dan Klingerman and was once a restaurant called Haywood's on the Water. Williamsport builder/developer Ben Stopper bought the property and it remained empty until the Goughs took ownership, Stroehmann said.

"We do not have anything against the Goughs," Stroehmann said. "We just want to make sure it is not a free-for-all."

Vehicle access to the properties is done via West Fourth Street. The private residences face the river with driveways leading to the lane.

For those interested, the supervisors meet next at 6 p.m. Oct. 11.

The township is required to put a public agenda of the meeting out ahead of the meeting so that if there is a draft of the conditions presented, the people interested in this can be in attendance.

If not on Oct. 11, supervisors meet on the second Wednesday of each month.