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Draft changes would let some Richland campgrounds operate year‑round with utilities and snow plans
Summary
Board members discussed reversing a rule that would force all campgrounds to be seasonal, allowing campgrounds with winterized infrastructure and snow‑removal plans to operate 12 months a year; board said small, non‑infrastructure sites would still be seasonal.
At the May 26 workshop, Councilman Larry Atkinson explained proposed zoning language that would allow seasonal campgrounds to apply for 12‑month operation if they can demonstrate proper seasonal utilities and a snow‑removal plan. "This allows campgrounds whose infrastructure is designed to hold out for winter months," Atkinson said, arguing the change would permit existing businesses with winterized infrastructure to operate year‑round.
Councilwoman Donna Gilson pushed back on provisions that could force campsites with fewer than five sites to remove travel trailers for the offseason if they lack winter utilities, noting that storage facilities are scarce. The board discussed the practical effects on small operators and whether owner‑charged storage would encourage informal commercial storage. The board agreed the ordinance language should be clarified by counsel to differentiate campgrounds physically able to support winter operations from small seasonal lots.
