The planning commission of Virginia’s Shenandoah County unanimously endorsed a special-use permit request for a tiny commercial camping area at Star Tannery, sending plans to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.
As per a report, Levi Pitcock, owner of Double Spur Outfitters in Star Tannery, last month initially presented to county supervisors and commissioners his idea to build a campground in Cedar Creek on property located at 2011 Star Tannery Road. Back then, the planning commission delayed a vote on his application to permit Pitcock to develop an elaborate site plan.
Pitcock claimed that the campsite would expand his current business, which provides guided fishing and hunting trips within the Shenandoah Valley.
While Pitcock’s original request was for 25 campsites, the number has been reduced to ten. He does not plan to expand past the six sites that were added to the site plan that was given to the Planning Commission when it revisited his application on December 2. The additional four sites could permit Pitcock to expand the campsite in the future if the need arises, he explained.
He also said that guests would stay at the campground from Friday until Sunday. The site is intended to be an idyllic getaway from where guests can head to explore the many attractions across Shenandoah County.
Pitcock said in his proposal that the limited amount of campsites would minimize disturbances to the area. Pitcock also stated that he lives on the property, thereby confirming his determination to keep the noise level to an absolute low.
He wrote in his request that if the six campsites were all filled each weekend and there were two people at each campsite, his camp could draw more than 600 people into Shenandoah County each year.
Commissioners voted 6-0 in favor of the approval of Pitcock’s special-use permit application. Commissioner Debbie Keller, who attended the meeting via video, did not vote due to technical issues.