A proposed fishing camp land development on a 100-acre property has been met with resistance by several Franklin Township residents.

After hearing from several residents from the Sawmill Run Development, township supervisors last week tabled a motion to give conditional plan approval to the proposed Fazenda Fishing Camp Land Development Plan at 469 Forest St. based on all comments are addressed from Carbon Engineering and from all outside agencies.

Also at that meeting, supervisors tabled several waivers that were requested as it pertains to preliminary and final plans, parking and loading area paving, and Pennsylvania Historic Museum Archaeologically sensitive sites and historic districts.

The property where the fishing camp land development is proposed is the former Kriss Pines.

The plan

The owner/developer, Crazy Trout LLC, plans to develop an area of the 100-acre parcel for a private (members only) fishing camp.

According to the plans submitted to the township, the camp would be limited to 50 members and have a staff of five employees.

The development would consist of a lodge (with kitchen facilities and bar) and 10 private cabins.

The existing office, fishing ponds and other outbuilding are to remain.

The existing building (old Klecka Store and office) would be utilized as the office.

The complex would utilize a private well and on-lot septic system.

There would be existing parking and additional parking to accommodate 50 guests and five employees, as the plan states 55 parking spaces.

Noise concerns

Resident Thomas Lawler, of Mill Run Drive in the Sawmill Run Development, expressed frustration with the noise level; specifically loud DJ music, fireworks and rapid gunfire going into the very late hours.

“Our new neighbors have not been respectful neighbors,” Lawler said.

Lawler questioned who would monitor them and be responsible for enforcement.

Supervisor Robin Cressley asked if the township has a noise ordinance.

Lawler said the township is a rural community, and that businesses should respect that and show “common decency.”

Further, he said if they can’t be courteous, than the township needs to come up with an ordinance that’s fair to all.

Board Chairman Fred Kemmerer Jr. told Lawler he understood where he was coming from, and that the township has a process.

Builder explains plans

Joe Craig, the builder of the lodge, was in attendance and attempted to allay any concerns.

Craig, of Mill Run Drive in the Sawmill Run Development, said there would be no guests, and that it would be a members-only club in which they would have to pay an initiation fee.

“I see there’s a lot of mistrust,” Craig said. “The plan is to never expand this.”

Craig said the developers are from Philadelphia, and are of Ukrainian descent.

He then extended an open invitation to anyone who would like to see the property, and added “there’s nothing to hide.”

Supervisor Jason Frey said he believes that would be a good idea.

Kemmerer noted that the township has rules in place, and added, “we can only go by what is in our written documents.”

Frey echoed Kemmerer’s sentiment.

“We want to be fair and equal to everybody,” Frey said.

Resident Joe Maisey, of Acorn Drive in the Sawmill Run Development, said he understood, but still had concerns.

“It’s not that we don’t want them,” Maisey said. “It’s just that we’ve already incurred all the noise.”