Planning Commission takes limited action on Daydreamer Domes activity

A lengthy and occasionally heated Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday July 16 resulted in the Commission advising Missy Fojtik of Daydreamer Domes that she "cannot hold any advertised music events." Furthermore, the Commission is requiring Fojtik to list ancillary uses of a campground she wishes to offer at her site for consideration by the Planning Commission at their September meeting.

These decisions came after a brief review of 12 pieces of correspondence received by the Commission and a tedious discussion. Chair Andy Litts set the agenda. "We need to get a better handle on what was permitted at the Domes and what is actually happening," he said, citing the 2021 special permit issued that allowed camping and no other commercial uses except a store.

What complicates this issue is that the Zoning Ordinance was subsequently updated in 2023 with the phrase "and ancillary uses" added to the description of special use permits granted to campgrounds.

Litts went on to say that Fojtik needs to ask permission for additional ancillary uses, and in this process the Planning Commission will review the requested uses, discuss the conditions, hold a public hearing, and ultimately decide to approve any additional ancillary uses or not. He offered that the Planning Commission is currently operating "in this gray area--we don't really know 100% if the ancillary uses are for the benefit of the campground."

Several members of the Commission spoke to affirm this process. Paul Macyauski said, "If anyone goes outside of the plan they have to come back to us [to determine] what can be done, what can't be done."

Dian Liepe said the initial permit "took into consideration that this was a campground going in a rural residential area. Traffic is an issue--there can be noise, it can be dangerous."

Litts further stated the need to "remove generalities and get into specifics." He continued, "Missy should've come back and asked [to hold ticketed music events.]. We need to bring everything into the light. She has invested a ton of time and energy into the property."

Greg Knisley replied, "Neighbors have also invested a lot." He asked the Chair what will happen between now and September 17 when the Commission will meet again.

Macyauski interjected, "If the Zoning Administrator knew this was going on, she should've sent a letter before July."

Knisley noted that while the special use permit was for a campground, the Domes has now "morphed into a 70 seat restaurant, and if the campground went away, other things are going on."

Liepe concurred. "[Ancillary] uses would be for people staying at the campground, but it has expanded to more."

Litts agreed, saying "This is why we need to bring it back to the special use process." He was looking for consensus from the Planning Commission.

Dan Fleming noted that the Domes is in violation of the ordinance, saying, "If she has to come back and ask, she doesn't have permission now."

Discussion turned to how to address the many scheduled music events on the Domes' calendar for the rest of the summer, and whether or not to issue a blanket ban on all music at the Domes.

Macyauski reviewed the issue of the Casco Noise Ordinance, including its dependence on decibel readings. "I'd caution the applicant to keep noise on her own property; it's up to the applicant to figure out how to do that."

Kelly Hecker said, "Ancillary uses need to fit in with the zone that it's in. Music venues are not permitted in rural residential zones." She considered Fotjik was "stepping over that line of what is permitted."

Litts spoke against the Planning Commission members trying to list ancillary uses, saying, "We need to allow people to be creative." He acknowledged that he never would've imagined that the deprivation tanks on site at Daydreamer Domes would be considered an "ancillary use."

Fleming also advocated for not generating a list of ancillary uses, and returned to his proposal that a "silent disco" approach be implemented. "We don't need to get into a list. If all wore headphones and no one leaves the property, what's the problem?" He moved to have Fojtik come back to the Planning Commission with a list of activities that are ancillary to her campground. This motion was supported and passed, with Fotjik needing to work with Tasha Smalley, Casco Zoning Administrator, to submit her proposed ancillary uses in a timely manner in August.

Then, Liepe offered a motion to deny permission for Fojtik to have music at the Domes until the September 17 Planning Commission meeting. (The Planning Commission is not scheduled to hold any meetings during August). In arguing for this action, Liepe said Fojtik holds a special use for a campground and she can and should follow that permit.

Macyauski claimed this motion was unfair; Knisley supported it. It was Knisley's attempt to wind back the infractions. "As soon as it becomes annoying, it's violated," referring to the amplified music and Casco's existing noise ordinance which prohibits the disturbing of the peace. "We're here for a reason, to try and debate out and make a change or bring [the Domes] back to compliance. Do we just turn our back and carry on?"

Macyauski argued that during a recent visit to the Domes, he couldn't hear any music.

Conversation turned to the problem of "events" after reviewing advertising the Domes has distributed regarding ticketed events around the pool. If Liepe's motion passed, the Domes would not be able to do any of those events. Liepe withdrew her motion.

Fleming said, "There should be some halt to what's causing the problem. Just because we haven't halted it doesn't mean we agree with it." He favored eliminating "bass and vulgarities--if there's a way to categorize that."

Litts posed that the fairest approach was to put an end to the advertising of music events.

Hecker said she had reviewed all minutes since the Domes was granted a special permit for camping as a primary use. She noted that what is being advertised is not camping. Hecker looked at other local campgrounds, "and they are advertising camping," she said. But reviewing the Daydreamer Domes ads, she "was not seeing promotion of camping; in my mind, are we using ancillary uses to slide into primary uses?"

Macyauski, interrupting, argued that ancillary "dovetails with what you're doing."

Hecker disagreed. "I went through the calendar; it's all entertainment and it's not being presented for people who are staying there."

Litts moved that Daydreamer Domes "cannot hold any advertised music events" until the ancillary uses are provided for review. Hecker supported the motion, which passed in a voice vote. Litts clarified that Fojtik is allowed to have music around her pool.

Fleming noted, "Missy knows what the problem is."

Some members of the public left the meeting at this point, audibly complaining about the deliberations and competence of the Planning Commission.

Several residents stayed until the end of the meeting and offered public comment regarding the Domes' issues.

Wendy Muehlfeld, 439 Blue Star Hwy, wanted to respond to people who "visit" the Domes and consider music volumes acceptable. "I live next door, along the ravine; I'm hearing it and it's a problem." She warned the Planning Commission not to be naive about an upcoming event slated for August 2 at the Domes. It "is a music event; they are marketing to Electric Forest" attendees, as far as Ohio, she said. There will be a "$50 fine, a slap on the hand." She felt Commissioner Dian Liepe had been bullied to rescind her motion.

Muehlfeld expressed that the Commission had a "deep bias for a business owner; it's a bait and switch; hold her to being a campground. She [Fojtik] has a dream and vision; it's become my problem."

Tim Tomezak of 7163 Windcliff Shores said he had heard enough from the Committee. "You understand the permit has been violated." He went on to question, "What is our recourse when all hell breaks loose on August 2?" He appreciated the motion and liked the idea of Fojtik submitting ancillary uses to the board, with the opportunity for public comment.

He went on to ask that the public has a chance to review the list and comment after Fojtik submits her list of proposed ancillary uses in August.

Lisa Tuohy of 7266 Elm said the remaining members of the public "were all representing people in our communities," whom she considered "well informed about what was approved in 2021 and what's happening today." Tuohy preferred "no advertised events," citing Yogi Bear campground as an example where everything is focused on campers. She also quoted the phrase "no commercial use" from section 15.03 of the Zoning Ordinance. In subsequent discussion from the Planning Commission, it seems the online ordinance is not the fully updated version.

Mark Muehlfeld, 439 Blue Star Hwy responded to a commissioner who said 'it's not that loud.' Muehlfeld said, "I could hear the thump in my house; low frequency sound is non-directional. I'd be willing to have anyone over" to hear music in his home's interior.

He expressed concern that it's only a $50 fine to violate the Noise Ordinance. He also thanked the Commission.

In response, Commissioners said the permit to operate a campground is up for review.

Supervisor Allan Overhiser clarified that he will have the Township attorney send Fojtik a letter notifying her of the motion that passed and that the special use permit is under review.

Dave Campbell 7174 Ferndell, said, "I'm not sure I understand the process. This is a whole new venture. Will there be public input? A hearing is warranted. ...Get a handle on it and put it through the hoops. She's changed her business plan; the public better know what the process is."

Campbell also called out Planning Commissioner Paul Macyauski for bullying.

Someone asked a question about the chance of this parcel being rezoned to Ag. The response was there is no chance of that happening.

It was noted that there were 72 cars in the parking lot last Saturday at Daydreamer Domes.

Chair Andy Litts apologized to the remaining members of the public: "I feel like we should've had this conversation last month."

Members of the public thanked the Planning Commission and the meeting was adjourned.

Planning Commissioner Ryan Brush was absent from this meeting.

The Planning Commission meets to discuss the Daydreamer Domes list of ancillary uses (assuming one is provided) on Wednesday September 17, 2025 at 6:00 pm.

The Planning Commission also tentatively scheduled a special meeting focused on the Master Plan, with consultant Jim McManus, on Thursday September 4, 2025 at 6:00 pm.

Daydreamer Domes operates at 397 Blue Star Hwy