Scotland County denies 51‑space RV park after residents and engineers raise safety, wastewater and fiscal concerns

The Scotland County Board of Commissioners voted to deny application 05/2025, a special‑use permit to build a 51‑space RV park at 13241 Highland Road in Laurinburg. The decision followed a multi‑hour quasi‑judicial hearing that included testimony from the applicant, the county zoning official, an engineering witness and numerous adjoining property owners.

Helen Livingston, who said she and her brother jointly own about 97 acres adjacent to the site, urged the commissioners to reject the project. "Approving the development that places a financial burden on taxpayers is not in the long term interest of Scotland County," she said, citing concerns about county services, limited tax revenue from transient units and potential impacts to property values and public safety.

Engineering testimony from Thomas Blue, an engineering land surveyor called by the applicant, described the permitting constraints for wastewater. Blue said local environmental health can generally permit systems up to about 3,000 gallons per day, while larger systems require review and permitting by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). He called the applicant’s 51‑space figure a request contingent on borings, soil analysis and DEQ approvals: "Those 51 spaces would be contingent on full investigation analysis permitting through DEQ," he said, adding that the ultimate permitted count could be lower.

Applicant Jahash Shah described proposed safeguards including a six‑foot chain‑link fence, 24‑hour security cameras, gated key‑card entry and an on‑site property manager. He said background verification and reservation controls — including requiring a booking name to match the occupant — would be used to limit unauthorized access.

Neighbors and small local RV park owners said they remained unconvinced that those measures would prevent increased demands on emergency services, noise and traffic. Concerns also included topography, nearby power lines and a railroad spur, and the potential for wastewater impacts in higher‑water‑table areas.

After public testimony and discussion, an unidentified commissioner moved to deny the application; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The board recorded the denial on the record. The commissioners closed the hearing and moved to subsequent agenda items.

The application record and the planning board recommendation remain available in county files; the applicant was told the final permitted layout would be dependent on the technical studies and DEQ permitting if the developer chose to resubmit.