A contentious meeting last night saw residents voice strong opposition to a proposed RV campground on Giles Road. Steve Coleman, a local surveyor and land consultant representing the applicant, Acquire Timber II, LLC / Jacob Stolzfus and David Zook, pitched the idea of a fifty-unit RV campground, emphasizing its potential as a trial run for future expansion. However, residents expressed numerous concerns, ranging from environmental to safety and infrastructural issues.
“There’s a reason Giles Road is narrow and in rough shape,” stated Elaine Ray Bass, a Giles Road resident. “Adding a campground will only exacerbate existing problems and invite more crime.”
Residents also highlighted the potential strain on the area’s already limited infrastructure. Doug Williams, running for District 4 County Commission, pointed out the substantial cost of upgrading roads and utilities, questioning whether the applicant would invest in paving the access roads. Further concerns centered on the adequacy of existing water and septic systems, with residents expressing worry about the impact on their well water and the potential for environmental damage.
Several residents also voiced concern about the lack of detailed plans and the applicant’s request for provisional approval. Jim Rollins questioned the reason for the small number of pads, suggesting it indicated uncertainty about the project’s success. Coleman admitted that they wanted to start with 5 pads because they were uncertain if the project would be successful given how far away from town it is.
The proposed campground’s potential for long-term residency and the possibility of short-term rentals via platforms like Airbnb were also hotly debated. 86-year-old Raymond Manus, a Giles Road resident, questioned who would ensure the campground’s upkeep and prevent it from becoming a “slum.”
While the meeting provided a platform for the community’s concerns, there was no question about how the Planning and Zoning members felt about the project as they unanimously agreed to recommend denial.
The application was subsequently removed by the applicant and taken off the County Commissioners Agenda. The applicant has the right to come back and be heard later, but no indication has been made as to the likelihood of them pursuing the application further. Mr. Coleman didn’t wish to comment for the article.
