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Planning commission tables RV/campground zoning amendments after residents press for stricter limits
Summary
After months of public concern about RV campgrounds allowing semi‑permanent residency, the commission agreed to delay three related zoning text amendments so member Bill Bryant can review suggested changes and the board can consider stricter stay limits and mapped environmental protections.
Spalding County’s Planning Commission on a motion tabled three related text amendments that would add a “campground, RV” use and related standards to the county zoning code, saying they want additional refinements proposed by Commissioner Bill Bryant and further work on stay limits and mapped environmentally sensitive areas.
The three amendments would add a definition for “campground resort” to Appendix 4 (Zoning), add campground‑resort supplemental standards and add the use as permitted in C‑1 (highway commercial) requiring a special exception in certain locations. Planning staff and Commissioner Bill Bryant had revised earlier drafts to move RV campgrounds out of AR‑1/AGR zones and into C‑1 along state highways; Bryant’s changes also removed “resort” language and tightened location standards.
Four residents spoke during the combined public hearing. Mark Wallace of West McIntosh Road supported moving RV campgrounds to C‑1 and to state highways, but urged that flood plain and “priority ecological area” language match the county’s comprehensive‑plan mapping. Wallace said the current stay wording could allow effectively year‑round occupancy if enforcement relies on a three‑day move‑out every 14 days. He suggested stricter enforcement tied to vehicle tags and proposed penalties, citing an example ordinance allowing fines up to $500 and up to 10 days’ incarceration for violations. Kathleen Burns and Anna Bragg said they favor the version that limits campground acreage to 35 acres and asked the commission to impose a lower annual or quarterly limit on days of stay to prevent RV parks from functioning as long‑term housing.
Staff told the commission the amendments had been tabled previously for 90 days for further edits; planner Bill Bryant took the lead on revisions and recommended moving permitted locations to C‑1 along major roads. The commission discussed enforcement capacity: county code enforcement currently has three officers and monitoring length‑of‑stay will be resource‑intensive.
After discussion members said they wanted Bryant present to review his revisions. A motion to table all three related text amendments until Commissioner Bryant could attend was approved unanimously. The planning commission noted the Board of Commissioners will consider related matters at a later date if forwarded.
