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Planning board backs text amendment to allow limited RV camping at lodges, removes long‑term RV storage
Summary
The board recommended approval of a staff‑revised text amendment that would allow short‑term RV camping at lodges in residential districts by special use permit, with restrictions (5‑acre minimum site, major‑arterial access, limit on length of stay); staff removed language allowing on‑site RV storage and recommended denial before revising.
The Planning Board voted to recommend approval of a staff‑revised text amendment (TA25‑01) that would allow small‑scale RV camping at fraternal and social lodges in residential zoning districts through a special use permit, while striking references to on‑site RV storage.
Staff said the amendment was applicant‑led at the request of a local Moose Lodge and that the board had tabled the item at its March 6 meeting to give staff time to revise the proposal. The revised language removes RV storage, limits camping to lodges on parcels with direct access to a major arterial road (examples cited included Market Street, Carolina Beach Road, College Road and Highway 421), and reduces the allowable length of stay to seven days to fit existing site conditions at the lodge on Carolina Beach Road.
Staff also noted additional standards for sewage disposal to align with North Carolina statutory allowances for septic systems. Because a text amendment affects the countywide UDO rather than a single parcel, staff said the revised standards aim to reduce the chance the new accessory use would be allowed in highly residential areas where compatibility would be a concern; staff still recommended denial in its written report but provided an alternate amendment for the board.
Supporters, including a representative of the lodge, said their intent was to formalize a longstanding service the lodge provides for members. During board discussion members praised staff for rewriting the alternative amendment, noted the deletion of RV storage reduced compatibility concerns, and flagged additional guardrails in the revision, including minimum parcel size for the use, setback protections for abutting residential properties and limiting the number of campsites allowed on a lot.
The board moved and approved a recommendation of approval to the Board of Commissioners. Staff will forward the revised language and the board’s recommendation to the County Commissioners for consideration at the May meeting.
