Full Life Journey Farm to seek special-use permit for small farm campground and event activities

Reggie Lipscomb asked a Madison County panel to move a special-use permit application forward so his Full Life Journey Farm can operate a small farm campground and a limited number of RV sites; the panel voted to forward the case to the Planning Commission after conditions are defined and any outstanding violations are resolved.

Lipscomb said his 42.86-acre A-1 parcel on West Hoover Road is intended to host a low‑impact agritourism campground focused on hands‑on farm experiences, a maximum of about 10 RV sites, and a small number of primitive tent or hammock camping spots. "Our goal is to have a space where visitors can come and be able to have access to, what is called full hookups or a simple space to pop a tent," he told the panel.

Zoning staff said the operation requires a special-use permit under the county zoning ordinance (article 15) and noted the county received a complaint and found some on-site work previously performed without permits. Health department staff and county building officials outlined several technical requirements. Emily from the health department said that if the campground will have three or more sites the operator must obtain a VDH campground permit and that any work on sewage systems requires a permit and, likely, an engineer-prepared wastewater characterization. She told the panel, "You are required to get a permit for that, for any connection...you will have to get a permit for that."

Lipscomb said he currently shows three advertised sites on his listing, does not intend a large commercial resort and proposes a maximum of 10 RV sites; he said primitive tent campers would typically be only a few people at a time. Staff pointed to ordinance dimensional standards for campsites (minimum area, width, spacing and setbacks) and recommended the applicant prepare a more detailed layout and clarify whether he seeks a primitive campground permit, an RV/campground permit or an event‑venue-type special use that would cover multiple activities.

Panel members emphasized the need to resolve outstanding permitting questions before Planning Commission review. County building official Jamie Wilkes and other staff said much of the on-site work will need permitting and inspection; Wilkes noted past installations had not been permitted or inspected. The panel approved a motion recommending progression to Planning Commission once the use is defined and any notices or violations have been addressed.

Zoning staff will work with the applicant and health and building officials to prepare a formal special-use application and a phased plan for required permits, including any VDH campground permit or engineered wastewater evaluation, before the Planning Commission hearing.