Planning commission approves primitive campground on James River with conditions

The Fluvanna County Planning Commission on April 8 recommended approval of a special-use permit to operate a primitive campground with up to three campsites on about 6 acres of an approximately 80-acre parcel along the James River.

Planning staff said the parcel (tax map 57-A-34) is accessed via Buckingham County and that emergency response would come from Buckingham County agencies. The commission attached conditions requiring the property owner to coordinate with the Virginia Department of Forestry and the Virginia Department of Health, to avoid a deeded cultural-resource protection area, and to maintain the site consistent with an existing conservation easement. Staff also recommended signage at the Buckingham access (including an owner contact/address) to assist emergency responders.

The commission’s action followed public comment emphasizing safety, noise and river access. “That part of the river is very dangerous,” Tom Beecher told commissioners, citing rocky, shallow stretches and noisy motorized boats. An emailed comment from Grayson McNeely of Beachwater LLC, an adjacent property owner in Buckingham County, asked the commission to deny the request because of concerns about increased traffic, trash and noise and the precedent it could set for additional riverfront campsites.

Applicant representatives and neighbors discussed boating and noise. Commissioners clarified that the campground approval would be limited to the six acres described in the motion and that up to three campsites was the limit included in the permit. Staff noted the Department of Forestry raised no objection to porta-johns or the proposed camping configuration but would need to review any permanent facilities; the county will require compliance with the conservation-easement restrictions and with the county’s noise ordinance. The packet also records that county staff placed test 911 calls from the proposed campsite locations and that those calls routed to Buckingham County dispatch.

Commissioner Patty Kilpatrick moved to recommend approval of SUP 2502 to allow a limited campground under subsection 22-4-2.2 with up to three campsites on six acres of the parcel; Commissioner Robert Dorsey seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.

Next steps include the applicant’s coordination with the Department of Forestry and VDH to obtain any necessary permits and the county’s follow-up inspections for compliance. The board of supervisors retains authority under county code (22-17-4f) to revoke a special-use permit if the permittee substantially breaches permit conditions.