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Board approves six additional primitive campsites for James River Runners
Summary
The Board approved an amendment to the special use permit for James River Runners to add six primitive campsites accessory to an existing canoe/kayak/tubing livery, with conditions including quiet hours, portable restrooms and no permanent exterior lighting.
The Albemarle Board approved a special‑permit amendment Aug. 5 to expand primitive camping at the James River Runners operation at Haddon Ferry Road by six additional sites.
Planning staff recommended approval with conditions that include adherence to the submitted conceptual plan, prohibition of permanent outdoor lighting, quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., secure portable restroom facilities (sited and installed in compliance with county code for floodplain placement), and a requirement that a staff member be on site while campsites are occupied. Ben Lopacker, a county planner, told the board the property has hosted a livery and primitive camping since the 1970s and that the proposed new sites lie near existing campsites and parking.
One local farmer who lives nearby spoke in support and described operator stewardship and safe visitor behavior. Supervisors asked about access, road surface, floodplain mowing and restroom locations; staff and the applicant confirmed the campsites would be mown grass sites (no tree clearing), portable restrooms would be provided, and the fire department reviewed access and raised no objection. The board approved the permit by roll call.
The permit includes conditions intended to minimize noise, protect riparian buffers and ensure emergency access; any future expansion would require further applications and review.
