Wilmington Beach development awaits zoning board decision
WILMINGTON — Nearly 70 residents gathered for a public hearing at the lodge at Whiteface Mountain on Feb. 17 to voice opinions and concerns regarding a proposed townhouse development adjacent to the Wilmington Town Beach at the end of Bowman road.
First Columbia LLC — a real estate development company based in Latham — plans to build 27 units on an 8.1-acre lot currently zoned for 16 units, which would require a variance from Wilmington Zoning Board of Appeals.
The zoning board is expected to reach a decision on the variance at a regular meeting on March 10.
Of 22 people who spoke at the hearing, more than half were opposed to the project, asking that First Columbia build in accordance with the current zoning laws.
Larry Hegele, who owns property within 500 feet of the proposed project, said he was concerned about how lenience to major developers could impact Wilmington in the future.
“Where do you draw the line here,” Hegele said. “I’m not against all development, but I don’t see any reason to give them a variance. The logic just doesn’t make sense to me.”
Wilmington Town Supervisor Randy Preston said it isn’t the first place he’d like to see a development, but also said that Wilmington needs growth.
“I’m a native of Wilmington,” Preston said. “When I was a kid the town had five gas stations, 10 campgrounds and probably double the hotels as it does now. At this point the town is struggling and could really use some outside investment.”
Preston also said he believes strongly in keeping a balance between controlled growth and maintaining the small-town charm of Wilmington.
First Columbia’s initial plan was to build 36 townhouses on the same lot, which was rejected by the Wilmington Zoning Board of Appeals in late 2008. Earlier that year the Adirondack Park Agency worked with First Columbia to define wet-land areas and has issued a letter of non-jurisdiction.
“This project is entirely in the hands of the town,” Preston said.
The controversy surrounding the development is largely due to it’s location neighboring the Wilmington Town Beach.
“I honestly don’t think this would be as big a deal if it was being built anywhere else.”
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