Planning commission recommends approval of special-use permit for two-site campground on Flatridge Road

The Smith County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a special-use permit that would allow two campsites on property at 860 Flatridge Road in Sugar Grove.

The permit application from property owners Ryan Gruel and Allison Gruel asks to establish a small campground on land zoned Agriculture Rural (AR). Planning staff told the commission the property is identified as Tax Map 71-A-112 and that the applicants had submitted a site plan and affidavit and that a public notice was published in the Smith County News.

At the hearing, the applicants said the site would be a single-use lot with facilities for a personal RV and would be open year-round. They told the commission that "the trash is going to be packed in and packed out by the tenants" and that reservations would be handled through Hipcamp, which would manage insurance and liability. When asked about length of stay, the applicants said they anticipated bookings of "4 to 7 days, maybe 2 weeks," and that they did not intend long-term rentals.

Planning staff confirmed an entrance permit had been issued and that the property is in the flood plain. Staff said the applicants provided an elevation certificate and that, while RVs are mobile and not directly limited by that certificate, electrical components must be elevated above the flood plain.

The commission considered the request under the county zoning ordinance provisions cited by staff: section 3-2 (allowing campgrounds in the AR District by special-use permit), section 6-2.3 (standards and criteria for special-use permits), and article 10 (definition of campground). No public comments were received before the hearing.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to recommend approval, another commissioner seconded, and the commission approved the recommendation by voice/hand vote. Planning staff told the applicants the commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote at the board's next meeting; the board is scheduled to act on the special-use permit at that time.

Applicants and staff were told to provide copies of the entrance permit and elevation certificate to planning staff; planning staff indicated they already had copies on file.

If the Board of Supervisors approves the special-use permit at its next meeting, the permit would authorize up to two campsites on the identified parcel under the conditions and standards set forth in section 6-2.3 of the zoning ordinance.