BERLIN – In spite of recent rumors regarding the Bay Club’s future as a campground, its connections say nothing is set in stone.
“They haven’t done anything formally,” said Hugh Cropper, the attorney investigating the redevelopment of the golf course for the Carl M. Freeman Companies.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams said this week that in a recent town council executive session, staff informed town leaders that the Bay Club would be applying to Worcester County for the special exception needed for a campground. Williams said the news was only shared for informational purposes.
“They haven’t asked us for anything so far,” he said.
Cropper said Wednesday that while turning the Bay Club into a campground had been discussed by the property’s owners, no decision had been made. He said he was simply exploring potential uses for the 36-hole golf course.
“They’ve hired me to do feasibility,” he said, “to see what the best use is for the property.”
Last year, Cropper approached Williams with a concept plan showing the potential layout of the Bay Club as an 18-hole course incorporated with high end homes. Several Berlin officials expressed concern over the proposal, citing the green belt that was supposed to surround Berlin and the array of properties the town had already annexed in recent years. The golf course is currently served by a septic system and at the time Cropper said the developer would either seek annexation or simply purchase water and sewer service from the town.
Cropper says now the property owner has decided a housing development would not be best for the land.
The attorney stressed that no formal decision had been made regarding the Bay Club’s future. He said it might remain a golf course.
“I think the golf course has had a great summer,” he said. “Maybe that’s the answer.”
He also said, however, that the 460-acre parcel would be ideal for a campground.
“I think a campground would make a great use for the property,” he said. “It’s huge.”
According to Cropper, the Bay Club’s owners have no set timeline.
“They just want to do something productive with the property,” he said.
If the golf course, which is zoned A-2, were to be redeveloped as a campground, a special exception for the property would have to be approved by the Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals.