A century ago, Christian evangelist Dwight L. Moody attracted thousands to his Northfield conferences. Some of those attendees built seasonal cabins east of the campus; that Rustic Ridge neighborhood continues to this day. Now a relatively new campus occupant, The Moody Center, is offering programs in the spirit of its namesake and backs the development of a new campground, “Idyllwood,” to house them during their stays.
On Monday night, the Northfield Planning Board approved the much debated development, subject to more than a dozen conditions. It is a decision sure to be appealed by some neighbors, but the ruling conforms with existing bylaws and the goals of the Master Plan, revised in 2017.
To recap, the campground will be constructed on Moody Center property along Pierson Road and would consist of 12 cabins, 27 large furnished tents and a main building. The campground would be a for-profit enterprise and operate independently from The Moody Center.
For readers whose idea of camping is pitching a tent and unrolling a sleeping bag, this development requires some mental gymnastics. Each A-frame cabin would have flushing toilets and shower facilities, and, along with the “luxury safari tents” would be fully equipped with modern furnishings, plush linens and a coffee maker – “all the modern amenities that you would expect at a resort or hotel,” developer Christian Arnold of Clockwork Architecture, said.
“We’re talking about an upscale campground,” echoed Moody Center President Emmitt Mitchell.
All of which sounded alarms around the rural residential neighborhood along Pierson Road. At two public hearings, abutters were vocal with their concerns regarding lighting, noise, traffic, parking and negative effects on property values, which even Realtors say is impossible to predict.
On the plus side, the new campground moves Northfield along a path delineated by its Master Plan, which envisions Northfield Mount Hermon School’s former Northfield campus “bustling with activity, with the additional population drawn to Northfield by the reuse of the campus spurring economic development.”
The new Schell pedestrian bridge set to open around 2023 will connect interstate bicycle routes whose riders might also plan to spend time at Idyllwood.
The beleaguered East Northfield Water Co. will gain a new customer in the campground, and for a town clamoring for taxable business, Idyllwood checks that box, too.
Taxable development, of course, is a mixed blessing. Town coffers (hopefully) are enriched but landscapes are altered. Just drive along Route 10 between Northfield and Bernardston to see how taxable development has altered the eastern gateway to Bernardston.
It looks like the Northfield Planning Board has dotted its “i”s and crossed its “t”s in its deliberations. “The plan meets all requirements of zoning bylaws and bylaws regarding development of the Northfield campus,” Planning Board Chairman Stephen Seredynski said. In addition, the board set numerous conditions that will address neighbors’ concerns.
The term “NIMBY” — not in my back yard — refers to development that everyone but the abuttors like. Idyllwood meets the spirit of the town Master Plan. If not this, then what?