Neighbors seek assurances from new Lodge owner
WOODSTOCK, N.Y. >> Neighbors of the Woodstock Lodge at 20 Country Club Lane want town officials to ensure the site’s new owner won’t allow any disturbances.
At a Town Board meeting Tuesday, town resident Robin Sears said the new owner, Selena Woodstock Real Estate, has gotten off to a “questionable” start during renovations.
“What assurances can this (town) guarantee the concerned neighborhood ... this property will not negatively impact the quality of our lives again, given our past experiences with noise, loud music, traffic, fights, occupancy issues ...(and) parking?” she asked.
The lodge, which has been open for at least 23 years, is in a residential district.
Renovations on the lodge had started earlier this year, but a stop-work order was issued July 3 by town Code Enforcement Officer Francis Hoffman, who found that changes had been made to the site plan approved by the town Planning Board on July 18, 2018.
The property owner received a building permit March 25, but lost a town Zoning Board of Appeals case last month. Meeting minutes showed that even before the 2018 site plan approval, the lodge’s owner had “illegally expanded its commercial nonconforming use by doing some exterior work, tree removal, grading ... (and) adding some parking.”
Town Supervisor Bill McKenna said there was an indication that the new owner is willing to cooperate with town officials after cancelling scheduled shows and programs planned for the July 4th weekend.
“They still do have some of the rooms to rent, so there still is some economic business going on there,” he said.
McKenna said a lawyer for the owner said there will be no further construction after a new application is reviewed by the Planning Board, but upkeep, such as interior painting, will continue.
“She did verify that they have an application in for site plan review to correct the violation, which is still standing,” McKenna said.
Town Board members noted that a recently adopted noise ordinance can be used to deal with some of past complaints about the lodge.
“Selena has indicated they want to come to the table, they want to sit down, they want to be good neighbors,” McKenna said. “I’m happy to try and moderate a meeting between Selena and the neighbors.”
Representatives for the lodge owner were not immediately available for comment Thursday.