NEW SALEM — Residents had an opportunity Saturday to express concerns they have with plans for a proposed disc golf course in the area of Morse Village.
The proposed plan, which was the subject of a Saturday’s Planning Board hearing for a special permit, involves using a portion of a 58-acre parcel of land located off Neilson Road for a self-serve, pay-to-play disc golf course. According to the application, the field across from 150 Neilson Road would be mowed and maintained for parking.
The roughly two-hour hearing took place at 1 p.m. behind Town Hall.
The applicant, Leo Lacwasan, said the land — which has been in his family for the last 70 years — has always been open to the public for hiking, hunting and other recreational activities.
“The land has always been open for people to use, and we have always liked to give that right to people to recreate on our property,” he said. “What I’m trying to achieve today is a small, grassroots disc golf course that is not a major production. I’m not trying to put in Six Flags or Disney World; I’m just trying to provide an outdoor recreation space so that people can enjoy our property just like we do.”
Disc golf is a sport in which players throw a disc at a target using rules similar to golf. It is played on a course with nine or 18 holes.
The Planning Board has 90 days to deliberate the special permit before a decision must be made.
Lacwasan, who is an avid disc golf player, said he’s expecting anywhere from five to 20 people per day, depending on whether it’s a weekend or a weekday.
But a number of residents, including abutter Adam Laipson, voiced concern for the plan as proposed. In particular, residents spoke about the potential increase in neighborhood traffic; inadequate parking accommodations; public safety issues with respect to individuals drinking on the course and then getting behind the wheel; and the negative impact it could have on the rural character of the otherwise quiet neighborhood.
“We believe that this proposal will not benefit the town, but it will create further annoyances, detrimental impacts on traffic and reduced value to surrounding properties,” said Laipson, reading a letter signed by about 20 other residents in the Neilson neighborhood.
Laipson said the area already poses traffic safety concerns, with nearby sharp turns and increased traffic due to roadwork. The road also lacks sidewalks for pedestrians, he added.
“Constant coming and going of cars will disturb homeowners directly opposite the entry/exit point, with headlights, exhaust fumes and noise,” he said.
Laipson also questioned the lack of direct supervision throughout the day.
“We do not accept the portrayal of this business as small and inconsequential,” he said. “There are risks associated with running a business, and the applicant and the property owners seem unconcerned with putting that risk onto the abutters and the town.”
David Jackson, who has designed a number of disc golf courses in New England, spoke on behalf of the applicant.
“I have a pretty good understanding of how these properties operate and how the businesses operate, and also the impact on the neighborhoods in which they do,” Jackson said.
He said there are more than 50 disc golf courses throughout Massachusetts.
“There are few recreational activities that offer the high benefit-to-cost ratio of disc golf,” Jackson said. “Disc golf is environmentally sound … and enjoyed by players of all ages and physical abilities. It’s a family-friendly sport.”
Based on the issues addressed by abutters — a number of whom spoke at Saturday’s hearing — resident David Skillicorn said he didn’t think the plan as proposed was adequate for approval.
“I don’t think anybody has a problem with disc golf, per se,” he said. “However, we’re in a small town and there’s differences of opinion about how this is going to be. This has to be judged on the basis of the merit and the laws and the rules that we have.”
Skillicorn said more work needs to be done to address the concerns of abutters.
“(The special permit) can’t be passed until more of these things are addressed,” he said. “I would recommend that more work be done with the abutters.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne