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Vienna planning board reviews new campground standards, including setbacks and minimum sizes
Summary
The Town of Vienna Planning Board discussed proposed campground zoning updates that would set minimum campground size, campsite dimensions, road standards, setbacks, quiet hours and a potential grandfathering process for existing licensed campgrounds; owners asked for further meetings on draft language.
The Town of Vienna Planning Board on Nov. 13 reviewed proposed zoning changes that would set new design and operational standards for campgrounds in town.
Orrin MacMurray, who called the special meeting, reported that campground owners attended an information session on Nov. 12 and provided substantive feedback. Board members considered standards that would apply to both new campgrounds and to how the town handles existing licensed operations.
The board discussed minimum and dimensional requirements: a minimum campground size of 5 acres, minimum road frontage of 250 feet, and campsite minimum area of 1,750 square feet (35 feet by 50 feet). Proposed setbacks were front 75 feet, side 40 feet and storage setbacks of 5 feet; the draft calls for owners to bring storage into compliance within one year. Internal roads would have a minimum width of 12 feet and specified surface materials; entrance roads would include queuing space. Campsites would be consecutively numbered and have contiguous side areas of at least 5 feet. The board also proposed that campground rules and regulations be posted and that quiet hours run from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Owners at the Nov. 12 session expressed concern that properties with fewer than five sites currently fall outside licensed‑campground rules and that some owners are effectively renting sites; the board discussed whether such smaller properties should be reclassified or regulated as short‑term rentals. Several existing licensed campgrounds asked to be grandfathered because they hold approved special‑use permits.
Board members noted the current law’s provision that, if a campground license is revoked, all structures (including campsites, pavilions, sheds and cabins) must be removed; the planning board discussed whether and how to modify revocation and removal requirements in draft language. No formal action or vote was taken; the board asked members to review the draft handout and provide written comments.
What happens next: members were asked to review the 61‑page handout with proposed edits so the board can prepare draft zoning language for further review and another information meeting with campground owners.
