Henry County Planning Commission in Virginia evaluated the Lee Ford Camp Road residents’ opposition to the rezoning of a parcel of land intended for a new campground development. The property is situated on the southwest side of Lee Ford Camp Road and approximately a mile west of Greensboro Road.
The commission recommended against the rezoning. The fate of the rezoning will be determined by the Henry County Board of Supervisors on April 23, followed by a discussion regarding the special use permit by the Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals on April 24.
Randy Allen Smith proposed the rezoning of roughly six acres from suburban residential to agricultural A-1. This move is part of a plan to merge this plot with an adjacent 54-acre tract, paving the way for the prospective campground, according to a Martinsville Bulletin local news report.
The complaints pointed out that the road itself, described as narrow, crooked, and lacking shoulders, is ill-equipped to support the increased traffic that a new campground would likely bring.
Prior to the hearing, Henry County’s Director of Planning, Zoning, and Inspection, Lee Clark, expressed reservations about the rezoning. Citing the residential nature of neighboring tracts along Lee Ford Camp Road, Clark highlighted the lack of a compelling reason to alter the zoning designation to agricultural.
According to the Martinsville Bulletin report, another local, Eddie Henderson, who resides on land adjacent to the proposed site, raised concerns about potential traffic increases from the nearby Magna Vista High School. He noted that the existing traffic, primarily from school buses and students, already poses challenges, which could be exacerbated by the additional campground and RV traffic.
Further issues were highlighted regarding the environmental impact of the proposed development. The risk of campfires, along with potential pollution to the Marrowbone Creek and its connection to the Marrowbone Reservoir, were the additional concerns.
Campground owners and operators can learn valuable lessons from the Lee Ford Camp Road rezoning request, particularly regarding community engagement and infrastructure considerations. Proactively addressing local concerns and involving residents early in the development process can build goodwill and reduce conflicts.
Adequate planning around local infrastructure capabilities, like road capacity and environmental conditions, helps ensure that campground developments will not face hurdles.
