The town has officially clarified that private residential play does not constitute a commercial recreational facility. This outcome protects the simple joy of neighbors gathering in their own yards. I am deeply appreciative of everyone who contributed to this resolution.
May 12, 2017
Final supporters
Residents of Glenville and Scotia NY, we are collecting signatures to support backyard sports in Glenville.
Chris Hess, a resident of Glenville, formed a wiffle ball league in 2005. His 0.34 acre lot on Cherry Lane barely contained the field, but there were no complaints from neighbors. In 2015, Chris and his wife relocated to a 10 acre property in West Glenville so they could have enough space to use their backyard.
Around this time, the opening of a Glenville zip line course (Mountain Ridge Adventure) was in the news. The town placed a moratorium on future recreational facilities to preserve the rural nature of the town.
In May of 2016, a neighbor issued a complaint to the town about the wiffle ball games. The town informed Chris that his field was considered a recreational facility, and required a permit. Seeking to comply with the town, he attempted to apply for a site plan. However, because the moratorium was in place, he was unable to do so.
The location of his new field is well over 250 feet from the nearest neighbor, and is hidden behind a dense row of forest. They planned to host wiffle ball games on Saturday mornings (three players per team), starting in May and ending in August.
The vague language in the moratorium includes any Glenville resident with a structure that facilitates ball play. Technically, anyone with a basketball hoop, volleyball net, ice rink, soccer goal, etc., that plays at a scheduled time would fall into this category. This would require anyone who falls under this rule to submit to the town for a permit and site plan review. It only took one complaint to force Chris to defend himself in front of the town hall.
Chris submitted a waiver to be excluded from the moratorium. The town needs to hear from its residents to allow him to resume games in his back yard.
By signing the petition below, you are stating that you believe that this is an asset to the community and it does not take away from the rural nature of the town.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
March 1, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
February 27, 2017
173 Comments
The Town of Glenville should support any facility that encourages kids to participate in a sport and keep them occupied so they don't look for trouble. My sons have played wiffle ball in his Glenville yard when they were in their teens and it was always a good experience.
As a real estate agent, I am shocked and appalled that a town would prevent someone from enjoying the use of their own backyard. By instituting rules such as this is going to have my clients take a closer look at where they decide to live in the future. And that's a shame.
Poorly written law being exploited by a spiteful neighbor. As a property owner in West Glenville, I am disappointed in the town's enforcement of this ridiculous ordinance. There's an obvious difference between for-profit (or even non-profit) use of land and what these citizens are doing. Something to remember at election time.
It's a small group having fun in their own yard which has plenty of room. If they remain respectful to their neighbors, (not turning it in to a drinking party, and where cars are parked, etc. , )let them have their game. It's a lot better then people who have weekly fires in their backyard and drinking !!!
I grew up in this area and the benefit of having and using your own land should not be interferred with by the government. Playing sports on your own property wihout the purpose of earning a profit shold not be illegal!
Ridiculous... Hope all works out
#openthegates
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The town has officially clarified that private residential play does not constitute a commercial recreational facility. This outcome protects the simple joy of neighbors gathering in their own yards. I am deeply appreciative of everyone who contributed to this resolution.
May 12, 2017
Final supporters
Residents of Glenville and Scotia NY, we are collecting signatures to support backyard sports in Glenville.
Chris Hess, a resident of Glenville, formed a wiffle ball league in 2005. His 0.34 acre lot on Cherry Lane barely contained the field, but there were no complaints from neighbors. In 2015, Chris and his wife relocated to a 10 acre property in West Glenville so they could have enough space to use their backyard.
Around this time, the opening of a Glenville zip line course (Mountain Ridge Adventure) was in the news. The town placed a moratorium on future recreational facilities to preserve the rural nature of the town.
In May of 2016, a neighbor issued a complaint to the town about the wiffle ball games. The town informed Chris that his field was considered a recreational facility, and required a permit. Seeking to comply with the town, he attempted to apply for a site plan. However, because the moratorium was in place, he was unable to do so.
The location of his new field is well over 250 feet from the nearest neighbor, and is hidden behind a dense row of forest. They planned to host wiffle ball games on Saturday mornings (three players per team), starting in May and ending in August.
The vague language in the moratorium includes any Glenville resident with a structure that facilitates ball play. Technically, anyone with a basketball hoop, volleyball net, ice rink, soccer goal, etc., that plays at a scheduled time would fall into this category. This would require anyone who falls under this rule to submit to the town for a permit and site plan review. It only took one complaint to force Chris to defend himself in front of the town hall.
Chris submitted a waiver to be excluded from the moratorium. The town needs to hear from its residents to allow him to resume games in his back yard.
By signing the petition below, you are stating that you believe that this is an asset to the community and it does not take away from the rural nature of the town.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
March 1, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
February 27, 2017
173 Comments
With all the things in the world we have to worry and fear about including crime and drugs, do we need to wage war against a few young folk playing a game of whiffle ball in their backyard? Let them play a game! John Ganther Duanesburg Town Councilman
The Town of Glenville should support any facility that encourages kids to participate in a sport and keep them occupied so they don't look for trouble. My sons have played wiffle ball in his Glenville yard when they were in their teens and it was always a good experience.
As a real estate agent, I am shocked and appalled that a town would prevent someone from enjoying the use of their own backyard. By instituting rules such as this is going to have my clients take a closer look at where they decide to live in the future. And that's a shame.
Poorly written law being exploited by a spiteful neighbor. As a property owner in West Glenville, I am disappointed in the town's enforcement of this ridiculous ordinance. There's an obvious difference between for-profit (or even non-profit) use of land and what these citizens are doing. Something to remember at election time.
It's a small group having fun in their own yard which has plenty of room. If they remain respectful to their neighbors, (not turning it in to a drinking party, and where cars are parked, etc. , )let them have their game. It's a lot better then people who have weekly fires in their backyard and drinking !!!
I grew up in this area and the benefit of having and using your own land should not be interferred with by the government. Playing sports on your own property wihout the purpose of earning a profit shold not be illegal!
Ridiculous... Hope all works out
#openthegates
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With all the things in the world we have to worry and fear about including crime and drugs, do we need to wage war against a few young folk playing a game of whiffle ball in their backyard? Let them play a game! John Ganther Duanesburg Town Councilman