New Hanover County’s Board of Commissioners (North Carolina) unanimously denied a proposed text amendment on Monday night.
This amendment sought to allow smaller parcels of land to be utilized for the establishment of RV parks.
Local entrepreneur Michael Faulkner proposed the change with an eye toward creating a unique, small-scale boutique RV park near the vibrant area of Downtown Wilmington.
Faulkner’s vision was aimed at breathing fresh life into underutilized land, providing new options for the growing community of RV enthusiasts in the county.
However, the commissioners voiced concerns that the proposal would not encourage sustainable development, an essential cornerstone in the county’s long-term urban planning strategy. They argued that such a change could risk disrupting the careful balance between development and conservation that the region strives to maintain.
Commissioner Dane Scalise led the concerns, highlighting potential issues regarding fairness and uniformity in policy application. He underlined the necessity to ensure all changes are equitable and beneficial for the entire community, not just for a single individual.
“Whenever we’re talking about what’s fair and equitable to everybody in the community, we’ve got to make sure there’s even application of the law and in this situation what I was concerned about was the unintended consequences that could result from making this widespread change county-wide,” Scalise said.
The commissioners’ decision sends a clear signal to private campground owners and RV park operators that the county’s focus remains on larger-scale development plans that promote sustainability, rather than piecemeal development of smaller parcels.
This verdict may impact the future investment plans and strategies of these business owners, as smaller RV parks would offer a different form of tourism that could potentially drive diverse income streams for the county.
Following the meeting, a disappointed Faulkner shared that he will contemplate whether to proceed with the project.
If he decides to move forward, he will have to file a special use permit to circumnavigate the current regulations.
As the RV industry continues to grow and evolve, this ruling has set an important precedent. The New Hanover County’s verdict offers a reminder that while development is necessary and often beneficial, it should also be balanced with careful, thoughtful planning to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the community.