Planning commission recommends approval of 12‑site glamping campground near Meherrin; limits, buffers proposed

Prince Edward County planning commissioners voted Jan. 21 to recommend approval of a special‑use permit for Camp Yellow Cardinal, a proposed boutique glamping campground on two adjacent parcels off CC Camp Road.

Applicant Kevin Wilson told the commission his design would use a phased approach on roughly 24 acres, with six geodesic “dome” guest units in phase 1, a central bathhouse and a 16‑space parking lot; phase 2 could add up to six additional sites, a second bathhouse and amenities such as a barrel sauna. Wilson said guests would park in the lot and walk to the sites; motor vehicles would not be allowed beyond the parking area. Commissioners were told the operation would prohibit RVs, ATVs and mopeds and include quiet hours.

Why it matters: The project would convert privately owned agricultural land to a commercial campground use authorized by special‑use permit in the A‑1 Agricultural Conservation zoning district. Supporters said the resort would bring tourism dollars and local jobs; opponents raised concerns about traffic, privacy, wildlife and possible trespass onto neighboring properties.

Public comment: Neighbors living on CC Camp Road and adjacent properties spoke in opposition at the hearing, citing anticipated construction traffic, increased nighttime activity and the risk of trespass into private wooded parcels used for hunting. Several speakers said they moved or settled in the area for its rural quiet and were concerned about increased visitor traffic and noise. The county received at least one written objection from the household immediately across CC Camp Road.

Commission discussion and conditions Commissioners asked detailed operational questions about staffing, emergency access, waste management, wells and fire safety. Wilson said each dome would have a king bed and private hot tub, that on‑site staff would be hired and that the entrance and internal trail system would be designed to accommodate emergency vehicles. He said water would be supplied by on‑site wells and that a generator would be available for critical systems.

After discussion the commission voted to recommend approval, with conditions to be finalized as part of the permit package. The planning commission direction included: limit total sites to a maximum of 12 (6 in initial phase), require a traffic management and VDOT‑approved construction routing plan, provide wildlife‑proof waste containers and a centralized dumpster, maintain a buffer of natural vegetation on the front third of the property (the applicant said the front third would be left undeveloped), prohibit RVs and motorized recreation vehicles inside the campground, and require quiet hours and noise monitoring. The applicant agreed to annual staff presence and to remote monitoring tools to detect excessive noise or unauthorized use.

Next steps: The commission’s recommendation, including proposed conditions and the applicant’s site plans, will be forwarded to the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors for public hearing and final action on Feb. 11, 2025.