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Camp Swell seeks annexation for small RV site; council to weigh water-share rule
Summary
Applicants for 'Camp Swell' told the planning commission they own just over an acre and want three RV spaces; commissioners said annexation is required and debated whether water shares must be surrendered on annexation, suggesting conditional permitting while the council clarifies the ordinance.
Representatives for Camp Swell described buying and cleaning a property on the edge of Farrant City and asked how to proceed with three RV spots they plan to rent. The planning commission advised they must annex into the city before operating an RV park and recommended filing formal annexation paperwork to begin the process.
Why it matters: Annexation determines which development rules apply — and in Farrant City the annexation rules also trigger a water-share requirement that can be a substantial upfront cost for small owners. Planning staff told the applicants the ordinance has inconsistent language in older and newer versions; one version left share requirements to discretion and a later version set a fixed requirement of four water shares and a $2,500 connection fee for up to an acre. That discrepancy leaves uncertainty for a property that the applicants say is just over a half-acre and for which staff estimated two shares might be appropriate if prorated.
What was discussed: Staff and commissioners outlined two clear paths. First, annex and comply with the city's water-share policy (or a prorated amount decided by council). Second, pursue a conditional use permit or other temporary mechanism while the council resolves the water-share question. Planning staff said the commission could issue a conditional permit or forward a recommendation to the city council for a decision. Commissioners emphasized avoiding an inconsistent 'slippery slope' that would invite ad hoc variances if rules are applied unevenly.
Details and next steps: Planning staff asked the applicants to submit annexation forms (the commission provides the form) and to expect notices to adjacent property owners. Staff said they will research past minutes and the two ordinances to clarify whether the current rule is discretionary or fixed and will report back. The commission did not approve any zoning clearance at tonight's meeting; members said the matter should be resolved administratively where possible but ultimately decided by the city council. The applicants indicated they were "on board" with the annexation path and will complete the paperwork.
