Sumpter Township Planners table vote on proposed project on 67 acres

Neighbors vehemently object to a proposed project on 67 acres at 23600 Carleton West Road.
After two hours of public hearing on June 8, the Sumpter Planning Commission tabled further consideration until its next meeting on July 13. Commissioners seek clarification and more information on what will be done on the site.
A special exemption use permit is requested by William Abraham of New Boston for his Abraham Filming Company and Family Entertainment.
He told the township he wants to create a seasonal camping and family entertainment area. It will be on about 67 acres of mostly wooded land.
The proposed use will consist of camping, fishing, bicycling, theater, weddings, graduations, film festivals, drone flying, and paintball games.
Abraham indicated there will be no permanent structures located on the site and any equipment or shelters required for select events will be mobile and only on site for the duration of the specific event.
The township’s planning consultant, Christopher Atkin of Carlisle Wortman said by definition most of these types of uses qualify as “passive recreation” – an area of land dedicated to recreational activities that require a low level of development and preservation of natural areas, and often involves solitary or small group, unstructured activities.
The proposed area for camping and entertainment will be contained in about 27.5 acres. A wooded buffer of 150-300 feet will perimeter the area.
Commission chairwoman Jane Stalmack read nine letters from neighbors into the record of the public hearing opposing the project. Seven residents also spoke against the project.
Abraham said he does not wish to upset the neighbors and he would keep control of the activities.
Neighbors pointed out when Abraham had held Haunted Halloween events on the property there was screaming late at night and other noise, along with trash in the ditches, intoxication and the police being called. There was the theft of a tree stand and someone shooting guns.
Other concerns spelled out by residents included: the loss of peace and quiet in their country setting, using wetlands for these activities, strangers in the neighborhood, loss of privacy with drone flying close to their homes, and a business in the residential neighborhood.
In other business, the commission decided the Accessory Building ordinance that was redone recently was not within reason on the sizes of pole barns and so suggested changes will not be pursued. A revised Accessory Building ordinance was approved last summer and they will stay with that one.