The Robeson County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina cast a unanimous vote on Monday, quashing two special use permit requests for the development of recreational vehicle (RV) parks in the Lumberton area.
Lloyd Ander Hammond Jr., a resident and one of the applicants, sought approval to transform a currently unoccupied 6.04-acre parcel in a residential agricultural district into a 23-space RV park.
The proposed park’s location, said to be on Henry Hammond Road in the Saddletree Township area, attracted considerable attention from the board.
Gary L. Locklear, assistant county attorney, raised an eyebrow at the lack of regulatory provisions concerning RV parks.
His statement draws attention to the need for an improved regulatory framework to govern the operation and management of such parks, in a scenario where private campground owners and RV park operators aim to broaden their offerings in Lumberton’s residential agricultural district.
Furthermore, Jackie Eason, the county’s assistant director of community development, added more fuel to the fire, warning about the potential conversion of RV parks into mobile home parks. This possibility could increase local traffic and disrupt community tranquility, both significant concerns for the residents of the community.
David Edge, the commissioner for District 6 where Hammond’s park was to be located, shared his disapproval of the plan, viewing it as less of an RV park and more akin to “a parking lot.” In light of these comments, the board united to deny Hammond’s special use permit request.
In a similar instance, Jessica Branch, another local, received the same fate for her proposal to build an RV park on a 13.19-acre plot in a residential agricultural district.
Branch’s project faced stark opposition from over 15 community members, further demonstrating the sentiment prevalent among locals.
These recent permit denials underscore the challenging landscape for private campground owners and RV park operators in the Lumberton area.
In light of Monday’s decisions, those planning to establish RV parks within residential agricultural districts might have to review their strategies, considering the zoning and community concerns raised during the board meeting.