Council approves outdoor-entertainment license for Wa Lone Campground without waivers

The Richmond Town Council approved an outdoor entertainment license for Wa Lone RV LLC, doing business as Wa Lone (Wawalom) Campground, at its May 13 meeting after a public hearing and roll-call vote.

The council voted to grant the license but declined to approve several waivers the applicant had checked on the permit form. The council’s president and other members explained the town’s ordinance allows waivers only for qualifying charitable, religious or civic entities; councilors said the campground does not fit those categories and that the waivers were therefore not applicable.

Applicant Ryan, who identified himself as general manager of Wawalom Campgrounds and as the representative for Wa Lone RV LLC, told the council the events are limited to campers inside a gated area, are not promoted to the general public, and are “pretty chill country” music rather than loud concerts. He said events run only in the camping season and are directed inward toward the campground’s acreage. Ryan told councilors staff will respond to any neighbor complaints and that a seasonal camper who is a retired state trooper sometimes provides traffic control when needed.

Council members debated the waiver language, noting several boxes on the application referred to public-safety conditions — for example, requirements for off-street parking, limits on sleeping on-site during events, and minimum constable or police staffing for larger crowds. Councilor Dinsmore said the ordinance permits certain waivers only for organizations that meet specific categories, and recommended approving the license without waivers. Councilor O’Shaughnessy and others said they were comfortable approving the license without the waivers because the campground’s events are for registered campers inside a gated area.

After closing the public hearing the council moved, seconded and voted by roll call to approve the license “without the waivers.” The official roll call during the motion to approve recorded Councilor Dinsmore (yes), Councilor Madnick (yes), Councilor Amitano (yes), Councilor Reynolds (yes) and President Wilcox (yes). (The transcript lists those names as the voting roster at the time of the vote.)

The applicant was invited to comply with any applicable public-safety directions by staff and to continue to respond to neighbor concerns. The council also noted an upcoming ordinance revision (Title 5) that staff have said will clarify waiver applicability and other permit details.

The council approved a separate Holiday/Seasonal license for Wa Lone RV LLC later in the meeting.

Council members closed the matter after congratulating the applicant and wishing the campground a successful season.