RV resort rejected in Huron Township

HURON TWP. — A raucous crowd almost entirely opposing a proposed RV resort convinced Huron Township's zoning appeals board to deny the application.About 150 people — a majority living in Lakefield Manor, Pine Lake Condominiums along with Bogart and Galloway roads — attending Thursday's meeting at BGSU Firelands capped off the heated two-hour session with a thunderous ovation immediately after all five members voted "No" on this project.RVC Outdoor Destinations submitted plans to build a 210-space RV campsite and additional cottages at the former Keys Golf Course & Driving Range on Boos Road. The now-vacant site totals about 48 acres.Many people speaking raised concerns about the project potentially congesting roadways, tying up safety services, putting a strain on public utilities and lowering property values.They also expressed displeasure toward officials for neglecting their responsibility to notify area homeowners about this project well in advance of Thursday's meeting. In fact, some said they only learned about the special session after reading a series of Register articles published this past week.Martin Hemminger, the board's chairman, indicated members rejected RVC's project because, "It wasn't conducive to the neighborhood.""We were really concerned about the traffic patterns and how this could greatly affect people," Hemminger said.Among those supporting the board's decision included Lakefield Drive resident Ellen Supp."I'm just grateful that they listened to what everybody said, and they put the needs of the residents ahead of business," Supp said.Sharon Dubois, a Lake Forest Drive resident, who circulated petitions opposing this project, echoed Supp's sentiments."I (did) not hear anything (Thursday night) to change our minds that it would be a good fit for our area," Dubois said.Representatives from RVC and Hoty Enterprises, the realtor for property owner Duke Thorson, began Thursday's meeting by sharing some benefits of an RV resort in Huron Township. In 2017, Thorson bought the property, costing $2.4 million, as part of a bundled package with the former Sandusky-area Kroger building, $1.6 million, for a total of $4 million.They focused on such an amenity bringing additional visitors into Erie County, generating tax revenues to subsidize a variety of public resources.So what does a denial mean for RVC's future in Huron Township?Henry "Mac" Lehrer provided some initial insight."I don't know," he said immediately after Thursday's decision. "We'll have to reconvene on that. We'll have a chance to reflect and look back and see what we need to do going forward. We will look at some other sites, but we'll go back to the buyer and just see what they want to do next."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Waterberry Drive resident Mike McCall speaks in opposition of a proposed RV resort during a special Huron Township zoning meeting at BGSU Firelands on Thursday. McCall and many others referenced how the project would congest traffic and create other issues, such as possibly lowering property values.