Planning commission approves 11-site seasonal RV campground in McKinnon with safety and permit conditions

The Sweetwater County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-0 to approve a conditional use permit for an 11-site RV campground proposed by Jared Triplett in McKinnon, with conditions requiring WDEQ approval for wastewater, covered garbage receptacles, electrical pedestals at each site, a 28‑day maximum stay and seasonal operation from May 15 to Sept. 10.

County planner Cassidy summarized the application as a proposal to develop roughly 1.4 acres of the applicant’s land for 11 RV pads with electric pedestals, a septic holding tank, a well and an eventual 20-by-20 administrative building. "The applicant has also stated that he'll work with the appropriate entities to obtain a subject holding tank permit as well as a permit for a well," Cassidy said during the public hearing presentation.

The permit drew extensive public comment focused on safety, emergency response, trespassing, traffic and potential long-term occupancy. Several residents said the site is close to a school bus stop and that local emergency services and law-enforcement presence are limited. In staff summaries Cassidy noted that the nearest residence is about 470 feet from the proposed campground and that the Sweetwater County sheriff's office typically dispatches deputies from town rather than stationing resident deputies in McKinnon.

Under Sheriff Joseph Tomich, whose remarks were summarized by staff, said county experience shows campgrounds and high-use dispersed camping areas often generate an increase in calls for service. "We do tend to see increases in calls for service in campgrounds and popular dispersed camping areas due to the transient recreational nature of the use of many of these locations," Cassidy read from the sheriff's input.

The applicant, Jared Triplett, told the commission the campground would be seasonally operated and closely managed. "We'll have quiet hours enforced from 10 to 7 a.m., and guests will agree to these terms upon booking," Triplett said. He said his plan includes wildlife-resistant enclosed dumpsters, site rules and a reservation system that would limit stays to 28 days.

Residents who opposed the permit cited fire risk, traffic at the Highway 414 intersection, water-well impacts, trespassing and the possibility that short-term camping could become semi-permanent occupancy. "I'm in opposition to the proposed RV park for a number of reasons. First and foremost is safety concerns," said Charles Bergmeier, an adjacent property owner. Stephanie Anderson and Shiloh Johnson, who live nearby, also urged denial because of emergency-response distances and traffic-safety concerns at the intersection on Highway 414.

Staff and agency comments addressed several of those concerns. Cassidy said the applicant must work with the Wyoming Department of Transportation to close the existing gated Highway 414 frontage and that access would be from County Road 1 (McKinnon Road) after public works review. Gene Lukerski, Sweetwater County public works director, said, "There will be one access to this" from the county road and that the county will require appropriate signage and will not allow parking in the public right-of-way.

Staff recommended approval with conditions and reserved the right to add conditions after public comment. The commission added requirements discussed at the hearing — a seasonal operation window, a covered/gated trash enclosure, fencing where appropriate, electrical pedestals at each site to reduce generator use, WDEQ approval and an explicit 28‑day maximum stay provision. The conditional use permit was approved 4-0; the official motion language recorded in the hearing approved the McKinnon campground with staff recommendations and the added conditions. The motion and second were not identified by name in the meeting record.

The commission and staff noted enforcement limits in remote areas and emphasized that the permit is personal to Jared Triplett and that any substantial changes to the site plan or operation would require prior approval from land-use staff and possible reapplication to the commission. Staff also confirmed that if tents or other non-RV accommodations were later proposed, additional restroom and service provisions would be required before occupancy.

The commission closed the public hearing and moved the matter to a vote; after approval the public hearing period ended and the commission continued its agenda.

Implementation notes in the record require WDEQ approval of the septic holding-tank system and that potable water, if provided, meet WDEQ and Sweetwater County public-health standards; the county right-of-way must not be encroached; electrical pedestals must be installed at all 11 sites; and on-site stays are limited to 28 days per calendar month. Staff also recommended and the commission included a covered, gated trash enclosure and notice that the permit is seasonal (May 15–Sept. 10) as part of the conditions of approval.