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Richland board reviews wide-ranging campground ordinance revisions at workshop
Summary
The Town of Richland board discussed substantial updates to campground zoning and rules — including density limits, year‑round use, temporary guest stays, storage restrictions and fees — and voted to have an attorney review a draft ordinance before formal adoption.
The Town Board of Richland met May 26 for a special Campground Workshop to consider multiple revisions to the town's campground regulations. Supervisor Robert North called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m., and Councilwoman Donna Gilson, who led the workshop, emphasized this was a workshop format and initially indicated the public would not be heard; Councilman Larry Atkinson said he would welcome public comment and then walked the board through the proposed text changes.
Atkinson described edits ranging from language choices to operational rules. He proposed replacing the word "sewage" with "waste / water treatment," removing a blanket requirement that every site provide water, electric and sewer to accommodate tent sites and fully self‑contained campers, and adjusting density rules. The draft also removes a proposed hydrant mandate and sets a minimum campsite lot size of 1,500 square feet and a one‑year license term that expires May 1 annually.
Gilson raised several objections, in particular to provisions that would require small campgrounds (fewer than five sites) to remove travel trailers off‑site during winter if they lack year‑round infrastructure. Atkinson and other participants argued the more flexible language would allow campgrounds built for winter use — and named businesses such as Fairways and Dreams, Route 3 Flea Market and Streamside — to apply for year‑round status if they demonstrate utilities and snow‑removal plans.
The board agreed on a proposed licensing fee structure of $1 per site with a $50 minimum and discussed enforcement challenges for rules such as a 15‑day guest cap and a proposed three‑year storage rule that would treat long‑unused campers akin to junk vehicles unless "good cause" is shown. Councilwoman Gilson moved, and Councilman Atkinson seconded, a motion to consult an attorney before finalizing the ordinance; the motion passed by roll call vote (all "AYE"). The board directed that a draft ordinance be written, circulated to members, and returned to the board after legal review.
The workshop closed later in the morning and the board briefly convened an executive session that resulted in a personnel hiring and a motion to place a local moratorium on data centers.
