Cobleskill won’t act on zoning changes at Howe Caverns until July 12, after a second public hearing.
The first, Monday, drew about 75 people.
Only one of the eight people who took the mic on the project spoke against it, Mike Fahy who said he wouldn’t have bought his retirement home on Sagendorf Corners Road if he’d known he could end up with an RV park as a neighbor.
Others in the Howes Cave neighborhood said they aren’t opposed to the ambitious expansion plans, but are worried about their water.
“There’s no water…unless you drill way down,” said Doris Dipietro, who lives on Myers Road and has a 495-foot-deep well.
“I don’t want to lose my water.
Mike Montario, former Cobleskill supervisor and a neighbor on Sagendorf Corners Road, said his well’s 480-feet deep.
“Where is the water going to come from for this ambitious project? And I’m for it,” he said.
John Lemery, attorney for Howe Caverns Development LLC, ran through the project for the curious crowd after pointing out that the requested zoning change to Planned Development District is only needed for the 175-200 site RV park.
Everything else—the gemstone mining building, zipline, hotel and water park, mountain coaster, tree canopy tour, rock maze, rock climbing area, radio control area, winter sports area, entertainment building, picnic areas, Tot Lot and Kiddie Park, and it’s crowning glory, Dinosaur Canyon—is permitted under existing zoning.
“What a great turnout and what a great project,” Supervisor Tom Murray said, opening the hearing.
“We’re here to see what Emil is going to do up on the hill.”
According to Mr. Lemery, Caverns’ owners Emil Galasso and Charles Wright have been searching for ways to keep families who visit there longer and create “a legacy in terms of their support of the community.”
Steve Grogg of McLaren Engineering said all of the project components have been well thought-out and are both interactive and family-oriented.
“If we do this right,” he said before a quick video of the proposed Dinosaur Canyon, “a dramatic walk down into an excavated quarry,” featuring animated, life-sized dinosaurs, “people are going to stand up and take notice.”
Mr. Fahy, who closed on his Sagendorf Corners Road the day the story of the Caverns’ plans broke, said he understands their longterm benefits to the community.
But the proposed RV park will wrap around his property on two sides, he said.
“Goodbye solitude. Goodbye peace and quiet. If I have to move, who the heck is going to buy my house?”
Brian Kaiser, who lives on Myers Road, praised the project as one of the few he’s seen “that represents true vision,” and Cobleskill Mayor Mark Nadeau said the village is behind it 100 percent.
In answer to the water questions, Mr. Lemery said testing has established that there’s adequate water, but, “We’d certainly be very interested in getting town water up there.”
Jody Romain, who works at Howe Caverns, said she’s concerned the project will cut visitors to the Caverns.
Carlisle Supervisor Larry Bradt said he supports the expansion and knows Mr. Galasso and Mr. Wright will make sure neighbors’ concerns are addressed.