Surry County grants one-year extension for RV campground permit with benchmarks after neighbors oppose delay

The Surry County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on Oct. 20 to grant a one-year extension from the date of the meeting for an RV-campground special-use permit that had lapsed after no substantial work took place within the original two-year vesting period.

The permit was originally approved by the board of adjustment on July 10, 2023. Planning staff told the county the board has discretion under the Surry County development ordinance to extend a vesting period from two up to five years if warranted. The applicant, Ricky Bottoms, requested a three-year extension; commissioners instead approved a one-year extension from Oct. 20 and set clear benchmarks the applicant must meet during that time.

During public comment several neighbors opposed the extension and described longstanding disputes with the applicant, including allegations of driveway encroachments and claims of threats; others, including Bottoms’ wife, said the family had spent money toward the project and asked for more time. Clifford Kane, representing neighbors in Ararat, said the permit had expired for lack of progress and asked the county to rescind it. Jimmy White, a bordering neighbor, described personal disputes and said no ground work had occurred in two years.

Applicant Ricky Bottoms told the board he and his contractors had performed behind-the-scenes work — site engineering and soil work — and that delays were caused by funding timing, contractor backlogs, and personal matters. He asked for a three-year extension to finish the project.

The board’s conditional extension requires the applicant to demonstrate within one year that he has completed specified on-the-ground milestones for the project’s first phase. County planning staff and the applicant agreed the benchmarks include: completed grading for phase 1 (15 sites), submission of a commercial driveway application to NCDOT or proof of application, septic-permit application to the county (or state-authorized septic design), and installation of prominent temporary signage on site to indicate the pending campground so that neighbors and passersby are aware of the proposed use.

Planning and development staff cautioned the board that the extension affects neighboring property rights and recommended a public hearing for the extension; the board held that hearing and limited public comment to the narrow question of whether to extend the vested rights period.

Commissioner Tucker moved to grant the one-year extension with the conditions; the motion passed 3-2. The board recorded the motion as carried and directed planning staff to verify compliance with the benchmarks during the extension period. Commissioners noted the applicant may return to ask for additional time, but any future extensions would be evaluated based on demonstrated, substantial on-the-ground progress and compliance with county regulations.

Neighbors said they would monitor the site and report noncompliance; planning staff said they would inspect and confirm benchmarks if and when the applicant reports progress.