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Commission recommends PUD cleanup and limited public access changes at Orange Lake RV Resort
Summary
Marion County staff and the applicant described a Planned Unit Development modification to clarify PUD language and allow limited public day use of some resort amenities; commissioners recommended approval with conditions after residents and conservation group Horse Farms Forever raised farmland‑preservation and traffic concerns.
The Marion County Planning & Zoning Commission on Jan. 26 recommended approval of a Planned Unit Development modification for the Orange Lake RV Resort that removes ambiguous language and would allow limited public day use of certain amenities.
Chris Reisman of Growth Services said the request is a cleanup of legacy PUD text, not an expansion of allowed uses. He told commissioners the original PUD (approved ~2006 and revised in 2017) unintentionally carried forward wording that referenced a "proposed convenience store" and restricted certain facilities to RV lot occupants. "This is a cleanup simply to fix that," Reisman said, adding that site plans and permits show existing construction is consistent with the approved PUD.
Applicant Fred Roberts reiterated that the change does not add new uses: "This is not changing the use. This is not adding a use. This is not expanding anything." He said the taller slide height previously noted in staff materials was a misreading of elevation information and that the facility is conforming to PD height limits.
Conservation groups and nearby landowners opposed the text change in public comment, arguing the site sits inside the county’s Farmland Preservation Area and that opening amenities to the public could intensify traffic and commercial activity near small horse farms. Busy Shires of Horse Farms Forever cited comprehensive‑plan policy 3.3.0.1 and urged denial or stricter conditions.
After discussion, a commission motion recommending approval, with updated conditions identified by staff (lighting plan, noise compliance and modernized conditions), carried. Commissioners and staff noted the commission’s role is advisory and that the Board of County Commissioners will make the final decision.
The planning staff’s recommended conditions — including updated lighting plans, noise compliance and modernization of PUD text — were incorporated into the recommendation.
