Stanley Companies in General Business Zones May Have Camps – The Stanley News & Press

After a recent decision by the Stanley County Board of Commissioners, camping will be allowed in the general business district.

Stanly County Planning Department Director Bob Remsberg presented the written amendment to commissioners for approval at a recent meeting. The amendment would allow camping trailers and RVs to be operated as a general business zoned 12 acres or larger.

Previously, laws allowed for commercial recreation areas but not camping. Vendors participating in the holidays, as well as RVs for contractors working on large projects, can camp.

The commissioners’ agenda packet mentions Big Lick Festival Park as a site where contractors have been working for several months.

According to the packet, the park’s new owners plan to “expand the campground on the property with new restrooms and a sewer system.” Prior to the amendment, those changes were not permitted by GB regulations.

The Planning Department proposed changing the general business section of the ordinance to state in the packet that the park “plans to continue the festival grounds with activities such as the Bluegrass Festival, Antique Festival, gatherings and other gatherings. They are terminating the tractor pull.”

Businesses with “smaller assets” can petition the Board for a variance adjustment, which requires public input.

According to planning staff, only two other lots in the county GB are larger than 12 acres. Campgrounds are permitted only with a special use permit for properties zoned residential/agricultural.

“At its September 12th meeting, the Planning Board carefully considered this and determined that this is the appropriate course of action to limit contractor camping at the Big Lick Festival Park to certain locations,” the agenda package states.

Commissioner Scott Efferd asked if the new owner of Big Lick Park plans to expand the facility. Remsburg said he would.

“Honestly, until he came to us with the bathroom and facility renovation idea, I had no idea this was happening on that property. You can’t see it from the highway,” Remsburg said.

The owners are looking to double capacity to 40 campers, he said.

Commissioner Bill Lawon asked about the maximum length of time a person can stay in a camp. Remsburg said the 10-month limit is in the camp’s rules.

“It’s very hard to enforce. “We’re not running the Norwood family camp every 12 months,” Remsburg said.

Remsburg said the county has three camping facilities, including the Norwood facility, Cotton Patch Gold Mine and Morrow Mountain State Park. RVs are parked at the Stanley County Fair and Big Lick Park, he added.

Remsburg said contractors and workers may be working on projects in neighboring or nearby counties at the camp.

About Charles Curio

Charles Curcio has served as sports editor of The Stanley News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature articles. He was awarded the NCHSAA’s Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and was named the 2014 CNHI Sports Editor. He also received awards from Boone Newspapers and won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

More by Charles