Hearing on Usdan glamping plan closes without vote on measure

The Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals closed a public hearing without voting on Usdan Summer Art Camp's proposal for an overnight camping program.

More than 30 people spoke at the hearing Thursday night in opposition to the camp's plan to install temporary tents on its grounds in Wheatley Heights. 

Camp officials are seeking a special-use permit from the ZBA to allow overnight camping for an art and nature program that includes allowing adult guests to stay overnight in glamping tents. The program is a new effort to raise funds for scholarships for low- and middle-income campers, Usdan officials said. United Jewish Appeal Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc., or UJA, owns the property which is on Colonial Springs Road. Glamping is a style of camping that includes beds and other luxuries.

Michael Rosedale, who has led opposition to the plan, was among the dozens of residents who spoke at the hearing citing their concerns about noise, a 24-hour camping operation in a residential neighborhood, public nudity and a burden on the water system.

“We want Usdan to drop the proposal to add overnight camping and focus on other ways to work with the community to help raise additional funds and embrace its nonprofit charitable goals,” Rosedale said Friday.

Rosedale said he supports the mission of the camp but would like to see them focus more on serving local children.

Usdan officials originally were seeking 70 tents but scaled back the request to 25 for a one-year test period after hearing opposition from residents. Camp officials have also decided to create a membership category to allow people not affiliated with the camp to be eligible for the overnight glamping program. 

“We are grateful to our neighbors for coming out and voicing their concerns at last night's zoning board meeting and plan to respond thoroughly and in writing to the board by the end of April,” Lauren Brandt Schloss said in an email on Friday.

Residents also questioned why a Limited Liability Corporation related to the property was created. On Friday, Usdan officials said in an email that over the years UJA decided that instead of directly owning properties it leases to other nonprofit organizations it would transfer each property to a separate LLC wholly owned by UJA.   

"UJA has completed nine such transfers, including the Usdan site that was transferred to 185 Colonial Springs Road, LLC in the summer of 2021," the email said. 

Resident also asked if all funds raised through the program would go to scholarships.

Brandt Schloss has previously said net proceeds will go toward the scholarships.

Melville Fire Department Commissioner Phil Foundos who spoke at the hearing said Friday the department does not support the plan.

“We’re very concerned about the safety of the volunteer fire and EMS workers, we’re concerned about the residents as well as any campers that would be there,” he said.