Board approves South Fork Riverside Campground conditional‑use permit with narrower setbacks and longer stays

The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted on Nov. 19 to approve a conditional‑use permit (CUP) for South Fork Riverside Campground LLC with amended conditions that the Planning Commission had recommended.

Planning staff summarized the Planning Commission’s 3–0 recommendation and described requested changes from the applicant and staff. The board discussed setback distances from neighboring properties, requirements for an evergreen buffer, and VDOT comments on the proposed commercial entrance. Planning staff said VDOT reviewed the access and did not object, although the entrance will need to meet commercial‑entrance standards for RVs and campers.

After questions about how screening would be enforced and whether planting specifications would ensure hedges or trees mature, a supervisor moved to approve the CUP with the Planning Commission conditions but with three key changes: delete condition 13 (linked to a boundary-line adjustment), reduce the west property‑line setback to 100 feet for campsites and 75 feet to the campground road, and change the maximum length of stay from 14 days to 30 days. The motion was seconded and passed on roll call.

Planning staff said the site‑plan review will specify planting types and a minimum planting height at installation; staff also noted that replacements would be required if flooding or other events destroyed landscaping. The board recorded that site‑plan compliance and periodic CUP verification would be monitored by staff.

Next steps: Planning staff will require a site plan that includes the screening design and species/planting heights as part of the CUP implementation; staff will verify ongoing compliance under the CUP process.