Planning Commission backs rezoning of county land for Kruger Lake campground

The Jefferson County Planning Commission voted July 1 to make a favorable recommendation to the County Commissioners to rezone portions of county-owned land near Kruger Lake from low-density residential (R-1) to agricultural to allow a proposed county campground.

The zoning change is intended to clear the way for a campground the county plans to develop on property inside the Jefferson Proving Ground gate area. The county said the full project would ultimately include about 180 hookup spaces, with an initial first phase of about 55 spaces, and trail connections—rather than roads—to Kruger Lake.

“This evening, there will not be any… public comment at the hearing phase of the campground discussion and zoning change,” a Planning Commission member said when opening the hearing. A county presenter described the parcel and the project: “the county owns 221 acres… When it's final, we're looking to have about a 180 hookups or spots there. The first phase would be 55 or so.” The presenter said the campground will be located south of Kruger Lake with trail connections and new lake amenities including hiking trails, boardwalks near wetlands, and a disc‑golf course.

Commission staff clarified that the action before the Planning Commission was strictly a zoning map change. “All we're looking at tonight is the zoning change of the property,” the Planning Commission member said. The presenter and staff explained that campgrounds are not allowed as a special exception in R-1 districts but are allowed by special exception in agricultural districts; if the rezoning is approved, the county will return to the Board of Zoning Appeals (VZA) to seek the special exception and must submit the development plans required by the VZA at that time.

Commission members asked whether the parcels adjoined housing. Staff said the currently zoned R-1 pieces are part of contiguous parcels and that there are no houses immediately adjacent; the nearest housing was described as roughly a mile or more to the west. After discussion the Planning Commission moved and passed a favorable recommendation by roll call vote; the motion passed and will be forwarded to the Jefferson County Commissioners for their action.

The record from the meeting shows the commission considered only the map amendment; any future decisions about campground layout, environmental mitigations, and VZA conditions will occur after the county submits the special-exception application.