SANFORD, Maine — The future of further campground development in Sanford may be on hold after a city council meeting Tuesday night.
Counselors held a public hearing related to a proposed moratorium that would pause any developments for six months, so city leaders could update what they called outdated ordinances. The council will vote on the matter during its next meeting in two weeks.
According to the meeting's agenda, the moratorium would also "allow time for regulations pertaining to design factors that may constitute a danger to public health to be examined and updated."
One campground development was proposed by Bonnie and Michael Patterson, who said they've lived on Sand Pond for 20 years. Their plan would be to develop a 39-site campground on a more than 100-acre piece of property that the couple purchased near the pond.
Some of the sites would be available year-round, Bonnie said Tuesday, and the plan would include park-model RV homes available for rentals.
“This is an opportunity for the town to do something different to capture some of the tourists who would otherwise go to Wells, Ogunquit, or Kennebunk," Michael said. “And I thought that would differentiate ourselves from all the other outdoor camping options in Maine.”
While some sites would be available during the camping offseason, the Pattersons said their campground would not provide permanent housing.
They also noted that the campground could help support the local economy, as guests would travel around Sanford during their stay. The two said they want to develop their land in a way that doesn't negatively impact the environment. Michael said he's invited environmental experts to the proposed site to learn what could be harmful for the pond and the surrounding area.
Sanford Mayor Becky Brink did remind residents during Tuesday's meeting that the mortarium isn't exclusive to the developments at Sand Pond, but for all proposals in Sanford.
There is local opposition to the Sand Pond project, however. Brian Dumont is the president of the Board of the Sand Pond Association, which he said has 75 members.
Dumont said the association supports the moratorium due to the outdated guidance. He also addressed his concerns during Tuesday's public hearing.
"It hasn’t kept up with some of the new developments surrounding camping, such as glamping," he told NEWS CENTER Maine. “[It] will give everyone the time to really think carefully about what we want our future to look like".
Dumont also created a petition to reject a proposal to increase camping around the pond, which has received more than 1,000 signatures. He acknowledges it is the right of residents to develop their land, but he and association members want any developments to preserve the pond's natural beauty.
Another campground on the pond, Huttopia Southern Maine, opened a few years ago.
Both the association and the Pattersons have retained attorneys as this moratorium issue continues. The Pattersons did speak out against the moratorium during Tuesday's meeting, but prior to the hearing they told NEWS CENTER Maine it was a "good idea" to set some restrictions, like limiting how long people can stay at campgrounds among other measures.
While environmental concerns have been brought up surrounding this debate, Sanford Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy said during Tuesday's meeting that the issue in front of city leaders is the outdated campground ordinances. She said the Department of Environmental Protection will weigh in on any impacts that could be caused by future developments.
"I truly believe a moratorium is good for the community so that we have better campground development in light of the modernization of camping," Herlihy said.
If the moratorium passes, Herlihy said the Sanford Planning Board would be the first to look at any campground proposals.
Councilor Pete Tranchemontagne said he is not against campgrounds but “we do need some time to make this up to date so that its fair for everybody and for future developers."
The Sanford City Council's next meeting is scheduled for May 21.