Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Campground Cup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board tables decision on 120‑acre Riverside campground after debate over setbacks and stay limits
Summary
A large campground and river‑sports outfitter application drew lengthy discussion over buffers, floodplain constraints and whether to allow 30‑day stays; the board voted to table the CUP and schedule site visits before a final decision.
The Warren County Board of Supervisors paused consideration of a major conditional use permit for Fork Riverside Campground LLC after extended public comment, staff explanation and debate among supervisors over setbacks, screening and the proposed length of stay.
Planning staff described the application for a commercial campground and river sports outfitter initially listed at about 142 acres; a subsequent boundary adjustment reduced the parcel to roughly 120.39 acres for the CUP. The plan would allow up to 100 campsites, two new sanitary facilities, a general store and rental/livery services for canoes, kayaks and other river equipment. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval with a set of conditions including a 150‑foot setback from the west property line with an evergreen buffer, dark‑sky compliant lighting, a site plan and emergency egress plan, and a 14‑day limit on guest stays.
The applicant and property owner, Gary Whalen, and his associate Sean Newman described agritourism plans — livestock, small‑farm demonstrations, hydroponics and educational programming — and said they would preserve open space and work with universities on research and outreach. Whalen said he preferred a 30‑day maximum stay option to allow longer rentals for workers or seasonal visitors. Neighbors and a nearby resident who lived next to the property spoke both in favor and with concerns about traffic and potential nuisance uses.
Supervisors discussed several alternatives: accept the planning commission recommendation (with a 150‑foot buffer and 14‑day stays), approve the application with reduced setbacks and a 30‑day stay (the applicant’s preference), or table the matter to conduct site visits and get clearer mapping of the campground layout relative to dwellings. Several supervisors said they would be willing to approve the planning recommendation with a 30‑day stay but without reducing setbacks. To allow that additional vetting, the board voted to table the CUP for up to two weeks to arrange site visits and return the matter to the board on the next meeting date. The tabling motion passed by roll call with a unanimous 'aye' vote.
Staff noted any future adjustment to conditions — including removing or changing condition No. 13 related to parcel modification — would require the same public‑hearing and planning‑commission process.
The board scheduled follow‑up site visits and expects to take the item up again at the next meeting cycle.
