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Residents urge commission to require RPC approval for two‑lot subdivisions after church‑camp activity at Jim Henry Road sheds
Summary
Public commenters asked the commission to require Regional Planning Commission approval for all two‑lot subdivisions, citing recent activity at sheds on Jim Henry Road where organized overnight church camps occurred; the commission tabled action pending county attorney review.
Several residents urged the Regional Planning Commission to require that all two‑lot subdivisions be reviewed and approved by the commission after they said an approved subdivision was used to host organized church‑camp activity at structures on Jim Henry Road.
Jim Fox and Kathleen Billards said minutes and legal delegation language from 2006 raised questions about whether administrative subdivision approvals had been improperly delegated to a named individual rather than to a position. Billards and others described observations at 2249A and 2249B Jim Henry Road—multiple vehicles, 40–60 youth wearing shirts carrying a church logo, pontoon boats ferrying youths to the shoreline, overnight stays with towels and clothing on railings, organized music and instructions not to speak to outsiders— and said those activities looked like a structured church camp rather than a casual family gathering.
Why it matters: Commenters contend that church camps and similar group assembly uses are not allowed in the county's A‑1 agricultural zoning and that administrative approvals of two‑lot subdivisions can enable uses that evade public review. They asked the commission to restore or confirm final approval authority for two‑lot subdivisions so the commission will have oversight.
What staff and the commission said: Planning staff and the commission deferred legal action until the county attorney reviews documents; the county attorney asked for time to consult and the commission agreed to table the item until the next meeting. Staff clarified enforcement options: zoning violations can be enforced as civil violations through the county judge with fines (staff cited potential fines up to $50 per day per offense), and activities that qualify as "group assembly" fall under the State Fire Marshal's purview for building and fire safety. Staff advised that citizens who suspect a zoning violation should notify the county mayor's office or the mayor's designee so the county can initiate enforcement steps.
Board action: Item D, the procedural question about delegation and two‑lot subdivisions, was tabled to allow the county attorney (Sam Edwards) to review the record and offer an opinion. Public commenters and a citizen representative (Bob Frasagna) urged the commission to require RPC approval of two‑lot subdivisions going forward.
