Harpersfield Planning Board Schedules Hearing on Campground

HARPERSFIELD — The town of Harpersfield Planning Board recently set a public hearing on a site plan application by Mountaintop Airfield LLC for a 16-site campground at its safety track at 396 Zimmerman Road.

The application was made after the state Department of Health ruled the track was operating a campground without a campground permit. NY Safety Track was fined for operating without a permit and for violating the sanitary code by using a water supply system and a wastewater facility that were never approved or permitted by the state.

The facility was closed last spring and before they could resume any operations,  the DOH required a they must receive a written contract signed by a representative of the track and a New York State licensed engineer or registered architect, demonstrating that services have been retained for the assessment of the existing onsite wastewater disposal system at the facility and the design for any necessary modifications to meet all current applicable state, local and municipal laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations. The same is required for the existing water system at the facility and the design for any modifications.

Earlier this year, the DOH gave NYSafety Track permission to operate the campground, but required it must still receive planning board approval.

Mountaintop Airfield LLC submitted an application to the town planning board in April for approval of an existing 16-site campground and issuance of a campground permit. It has been noted the applicant never obtained approval for a campground on the property and previously denied that it operated a  campground or any overnight use of the facility. Neighbors, however, repeatedly indicated there were overnight campers and they were operating a campground on the property.

The safety track then submitted an application for a site plan amendment for the 16-site facility.

Members of the planning board required Mountaintop Airfield to allow them to visit the site prior to a sketch plan conference with planning board members. They requested the applicant  update the application to represent all current conditions on the property and to more clearly define use of certain areas and facilities for the campsite. 

The planning board also required that an escrow account be established to pay for a land use attorney and an engineer to review the application. The escrow account was established by the Harpersfield Town Board.

Once the on-site visit was made and the escrow account established, the planning board held a sketch conference. Planning board members required additional information and details be added to the application before they would accept it. They have since deemed the application complete and set a public hearing for October 30, 2026 at 7 p.m. at the Harpersfield Town Hall.

Despite past interactions and the public contending repeatedly that the track  has been operating beyond their original site plan application to operate a motorcycle safety training facility, the planning board may only consider the submitted application amendment for the campground facility.

Neighbors have repeatedly complained about the constant noise, traffic, speeding, alleged operation of a shooting  range, low level plane flyovers and other issues when the track is in operation. It has also been the source of litigation over the years. 

"We expect a large crowd," said Dean Darling, chairman of the Harpersfield Planning Board. "However, we may only consider those things related to the campground and make our decision based on the public's comments and what has been submitted to us to consider."

Written comments may also be submitted to the Harpersfield Town Clerk.