Richland board imposes temporary campground moratorium to finalize setback and screening rules

The Richland Town Board voted unanimously on Feb. 10 to impose a temporary moratorium on new campgrounds while it finalizes draft regulations, saying the pause will allow the town to codify setbacks, screening and minimum site standards.

Councilman Larry Atkinson, who presented the Campground Committee's draft, said the committee recommends a 75-foot minimum setback from the centerline of the road, privacy screening (a fence or trees), a minimum parcel size of 5 acres, a minimum of a half-acre per campsite, and allowing between two and five sites on parcels without referral to county review. "The biggest issues have been set backs and screening," Atkinson told the Board. He added that several prospective applicants were waiting for the Town to lift or clarify the moratorium before applying for permits.

Councilmembers asked for time to review details including the type and extent of screening; Attorney Graham Seiter advised the Board there was no formal moratorium in effect until the Board enacted one and recommended imposing a moratorium while editors finalize the local law. Councilman Eric Pappa moved to impose the moratorium, Councilwoman Sue Haynes seconded, and the roll-call vote was unanimous.

The Board closed the public hearing the same evening. The moratorium is intended as a temporary procedural step so the Board and legal counsel can finalize ordinance text; the Board also scheduled an internal review meeting for Feb. 18 to discuss edits before returning to adopt permanent rules.