Usdan Glamping Decision Postponed By Huntington ZBA

HUNTINGTON, NY — A decision on Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts' proposal that would allow it to build 70 overnight glamping units was delayed for three weeks by the Huntington Zoning Board of Appeals on April 7, Huntington Now reported.

Usdan aims to build 70 tents for glamping, a more glamorous form of camping, on the eastern side of its 141-acre Wheatley Heights property.

Usdan, a nonprofit that offers children ages 5 to 18 the chance to act, paint, sculpt, perform music, dance and more, plans to use the glamping tents to generate scholarship funds for lower and middle-income students.

“What Usdan has offered for nearly 55 years and the resource we continue to offer today is an immersive and transformational arts experience in nature," Usdan’s Executive Director Lauren Brandt told Patch. "The intention behind the overnight program was to allow even more people to benefit from this programming. Everyone we spoke with originally loved the idea and never expressed thoughts that it would negatively impact our neighbors. Plus, because the proceeds were to be allocated to youth scholarships, we felt people would feel 'extra good' about participating. Usdan has worked within the parameters of the zoning board, which is designed to include a period of community engagement. Our neighbors care deeply about this community and land, as do we. We are listening to our neighbors' concerns now.''

The delay will give Usdan time to respond to community complaints, according to the camp. Concerns nearby residents expressed at the meeting include potential fires, bad behavior by glampers, and more. Usdan said it would limit its initial plan to 25 tents, Huntington Now reported.

Should the glamping units be approved, there would be no changes to Usdan's nonprofit status, according to the company.

UJA-Federation has owned the property for decades and leases it to Usdan. The company says it did not create the LLC, which belongs to UJA-Federation.