DAMASCUS, PA — At its February 16 meeting, the Damascus Township Board of Supervisors approved conditions of use for a 10-site campground on Hickory Lane owned by Hal and Gladys Kaufmann. The document outlining conditions of use for the property, which was granted a nonconforming use variance by the board in 1984, was drafted by township solicitor Jeffrey Treat and addresses most of the suggestions and concerns voiced by residents at a January 19 public hearing on the topic.

Responding to questions from the public regarding next steps in the process required for the Kaufmanns to obtain an operating permit for their campground, Supervisor Joe Canfield (acting as meeting chair in Chairman Jeff Dexter’s absence) said that the Kaufmanns must submit written plans to the Damascus Planning Commission, including comprehensive site blueprints, if they find the stipulated conditions of use acceptable. Planning commission chair Ernie Matern added that the proposed campground will be considered a major subdivision and, as such, will be required to demonstrate full compliance with all aspects of the township’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) pertaining to major subdivisions. (See damascustwp.org/ord/SALDO.pdf.)

Township zoning officer Ed Lagarenne said, in response to other questions about the binding nature of the conditions of use, that those conditions would remain in force for the next 200 to 300 years, or as long as existing zoning regulations are applicable. He also said that the conditions will apply not only to the Kaufmanns, but also to any subsequent owners of the property, defined as “successors and assigns.”

In other business, operations manager Steve Adams said that he has submitted the township as a candidate for the Upper Delaware Council’s (UDC) Outstanding Community Achievement Award, which is “given to a municipality to recognize significant action in 2014 to protect the river corridor.” Citing one mile of township highway department work along River Road designed to slow erosion, prevent road runoff into the river, and generally preserve the beauty and integrity of the river ecosystem, Adams said that the roadwork seeks to maintain a pristine environment for years to come. That award will be presented, along with several others, at the UDC’s annual awards dinner on April 26 at 3 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Tickets cost $26 each, and can be purchased at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org.

Adams also provided an update on the Jurgenson Road alternate route project, saying that the township plans to survey the proposed alternate route as soon as the deep snow melts and then will seek easement permissions from landowners along the route.