Planning commission approves conditional-use permit to open historic Linkus Kipp House for small camps, workshops and limited overnight stays

The Blacksburg Planning Commission on July 1 approved CUP 25-1, the Graham Outdoor Recreational Camp conditional-use permit, allowing use of the historic Linkus Kipp House at 2190 Merrimack Road for educational programming, historic tours, arts and crafts workshops, counseling and limited overnight lodging in the house.

Town planner Kenzie O'Shea told the commission the property is more than 15 acres and zoned RR-1 (rural residential 1). O'Shea said the zoning administrator determined the application most closely matches the ordinance definition of a “camp” and that staff included recommended conditions addressing event limits, overnight stays, hours and safety measures. She said stormwater concept plans were approved by town engineering, the property is served by public water and sewer, and the applicant proposes private waste collection.

The applicants, Jeff Graham and Fiona Allen, described the project as a preservation-driven effort to restore the late-18th-century house and offer small-scale community uses. Graham said they have completed structural and utility repairs since purchasing the property and that revenues would be…