AVA — The Ava Town Board, at its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 11, denied a motion for an open development permit for Restore Forward, for the construction of a campsite and retreat center on 293 acres of land on Webster Hill Road.

The meeting was well attended by the public, and all members of the board were present.

In February, the Ava Planning Board recommended against allowing the construction of the center because the site plans conflicted with permitted uses of the property under New York State Consolidated Laws, Town Law 280-a.

“As the town board is aware, several months back we received a request on behalf of Restore Forward for the town to deal with the issue of Town Law 280-a, which requires Restore Forward to have road frontage access for their property,” Town Attorney Diane Martin-Grande told the board during a brief overview of the current situation. “Right now, they have an easement. Easements are not subject to 280-a and not compliant with it. So, they have made a request for an open development district that was referred by the town board to the planning department.”

“You have the planning board’s recommendation. They gave you a letter two months ago — signed by the planning board, approved by the planning board — indicating that they recommended against the open development district. So now, this evening, the board needs to make a determination as to whether or not you are going to grant Restore Forward’s request for an open development district for that property,” Martin said.

Town Supervisor James Ossont brought up two letters from Nixon Peabody and Barton & Loguidice, which stated that the applicant would be willing to widen their roads for emergency access as specified in Town Law 280-a. Ossont then asked if the board had any comment; there was a pause. 

“This is not an easy decision for this board,” said Councilman David Rundle. He said his main concern was that open development districts are intended for building homes, not retreats. “I have a hard time looking at this as being a home,” he said as he held up a copy of the site plans.

After a brief pause, Councilman Stephen Perez made a motion to deny Restore Forward’s request for an open development permit, which was seconded by Councilman Colton Cihocki. The board accepted the motion — which was met with a round of applause from those present.

Despite the board’s decision, Black Women’s Blueprint (BWB) is partnering with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) on Wednesday, April 26, to host a virtual seminar, “Futurescaping Truth & Reconciliation: Indigenous & Black Land Conversations,” discussing their motivation behind building a retreat center in Ava. To sign up or learn more about Restore Forward and BWB, go online to restoreny.org.

The Ava Town Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. The Ava Planning Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. as well. All meetings take place in the Ava Town Hall, 11468 State Route 26, unless otherwise specified.

To view the site plans for the Restore Forward project, please visit townava.digitaltowpath.org.