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Campground rezoned on one-year trial after neighbor objections; owner agrees to limits
Summary
The committee approved a rezoning to allow a campground on a 4-acre parcel after the township granted a one-year trial. Neighbor objections focused on proximity and public access; the applicant agreed to reduce campsites from 15 to 10, post rules and provide garbage receptacles.
The Richland County Natural Resources Committee approved a rezoning on Nov. 1 for a 4-acre parcel that the township had already authorized for a one-year campground trial. The county-level approval authorizes the campground to operate under the township’s trial conditions and with county-specified compliance checks.
The applicant, identified in the packet as Mackenzie, described engineering plans and sanitation measures and told the committee she will limit the site to 10 campsites (reduced from an initial 15) to preserve the property’s ‘naturalness.’ She said registration procedures, posted rules and garbage receptacles will be provided and that she will implement a pack-in/pack-out approach and signage to inform visitors of rules and emergency procedures.
A nearby resident spoke in opposition, saying they live "within 200 feet" of the site and do not want public camping near their home. The resident asked the committee to consider the potential for increased public use; the applicant and members discussed setbacks and site placement and the applicant emphasized the sites will be set back and largely not visible from neighboring properties.
Why it matters: The county’s approval subjects the campground to county zoning and sanitary requirements and places a one-year monitoring expectation on the operation. If problems arise during the trial, staff and the committee will have a documented basis to revisit conditions or the permit.
Conditions and assurances
- Township approval: Staff confirmed the township approved a one-year trial; staff will obtain the township minutes and add them to the county packet. - Site plan and BOA variance: The applicant is pursuing a variance before the Board of Adjustment for campsite size; the county approval is conditioned on zoning compliance and required sanitary reviews. - Garbage and sanitation: The township’s primary contingency was garbage; the applicant agreed to install receptacles and to enforce a leave-no-trace policy. Staff confirmed sanitary application materials will be checked and that any composting or toilet systems must be on the state-approved list where required.
Voices from the meeting
- Applicant (Mackenzie): "I've actually have decided to take it down to 10 campsites because I really don't want to add a lot of infrastructure because it will take away from the naturalness of the property." (transcript excerpt) - Neighbor: voiced objection and described living within 200 feet of the property.
Next steps
Staff will place township approvals and the engineer’s plan into the record, verify sanitary and composting toilet approvals if applicable, and monitor the campground during the one-year trial. Any BOA variances required for campsite size will proceed on the BOA schedule.
