Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Special Use Permit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edgecombe County approves special-use permit for Oak Grove Retreat event center and RV park
Summary
The Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners approved special-use permit case 25SUP09 allowing operation of an outdoor event center and up to six RV sites at the Oak Grove Retreat property in Tarboro; site-plan review and other development permits remain required.
The Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners on March 3 approved a special-use permit (case 25SUP09) allowing the operation of an outdoor event center and a recreational-vehicle (RV) park at 3767 Howard Avenue Extension / 3244 McNair Road in Tarboro.
Planning staff told commissioners the proposal formalizes existing activities at the property known as Oak Grove Retreat, which has been operating since 2005 and includes an indoor event venue in a chapel, an art studio, a bed-and-breakfast and campground. "Per UDO's table 4.20.1, outdoor event venue and recreational vehicle parks are permitted in AR-30 with the approval of a special-use permit," Dervin Spell, director of planning and inspections, told the board and outlined applicable Unified Development Ordinance standards for event venues and RV parks.
Applicant Kevin Wilson described the site and how it will operate. "The property, St. Anne's Chapel, is a hundred and five years old," Wilson said, adding that the owners have hosted large weddings and events for years. He told the board the RV area will have a maximum of six sites and will primarily serve weekend retreat guests, traveling nurses and teachers who want closer accommodations. "There will be no sewer to any of these locations. Water will be supplied to them so they can have it in their holding tank," Wilson said. He described a composting "humanure" bathroom system the property has used for about 20 years, saying the method was developed by a researcher at East Carolina University and has been used in other rural permits with state review.
Planning staff noted that, under the UDO, the board must evaluate the application against the six review criteria in Section 2.3.20F and may approve, approve with modifications, or deny the special-use permit. Officials told the board that the Environmental Health Division indicated a septic permit may be required for the RV sites and that sewer upgrades could be necessary depending on the final site plan.
A commissioner moved to approve all six review criteria and pass the special-use permit. The motion passed unanimously. Following approval, planning staff said the development must complete site-plan review and obtain zoning and any other applicable development permits before operating the RV sites as proposed.
The board did not record conditions beyond those implied by UDO standards; staff recommended and commissioners approved the permit as presented.
Ending: With the special-use permit approved, the applicant must return with a site plan and secure any required environmental health approvals and development permits before construction or new RV site use may begin.
