(Jan. 5, 2017) While the debate continues over whether the proposed “Ayres Creek Campground” is a good idea, the process of switching the former Pines Shores Golf Course over to another use will likely move slowly, if it goes through at all.
Before anything can happen, the property would have to be rezoned from E-1 Estate to A-2 Agricultural, and then a special exception would have to be permitted under A-2 to allow for a campground.
Each step would require at least one public meeting, and the special exception itself would necessitate a public hearing and include a period of advertising in local newspapers.
According to Phyllis Wimbrow, deputy director of Worcester County Development Review and Permitting, the only application the county has received related to the property is a rezoning application.
Wimbrow said a meeting with the county planning commission was tentatively set for Jan. 5, but that meeting was postponed at the request of the applicant, Ayres Creek Family Farm LLC. The meeting has not been rescheduled and will not occur until Wimbrow receives notice from the applicant.
“No applications of any kind relative to a campground on the property have been submitted to this department and, in fact, would be very premature, as the use is not permitted under the site’s existing zoning classification,” Wimbrow said.
“The existing E-1 estate district zoning classification allows single-family dwellings and a number of agricultural uses. It does not allow campgrounds.
“The requested A-2 agricultural district zoning permits a wide variety of agricultural uses as well as other compatible uses such as campgrounds. In order to obtain a permit for a campground in the A-2 agricultural district, the property owner would have to be granted a special exception by the board of zoning appeals as well as site plan approval from the planning commission. However, neither approval can be sought unless the property is rezoned to A-2 agricultural district,” she added.
Wimbrow said any rezoning application would be considered during a public meeting, but not a public hearing.
“It does not require public notice or the taking of public comments,” she said. “The planning commission can choose to take comments, but is not required to do so. Once the planning commission has made a recommendation to either approve or deny a rezoning request, that recommendation is submitted in writing to the county commissioners for that body’s review.
“At that time a public hearing is scheduled, all adjoining property owners are notified by mail, a legal ad is run in the newspaper for two weeks, and a legal notice is posted on the property. It is at the county commissioners’ public hearing that public comment is taken.”
Before anything can happen, the property would have to be rezoned from E-1 Estate to A-2 Agricultural, and then a special exception would have to be permitted under A-2 to allow for a campground.
Each step would require at least one public meeting, and the special exception itself would necessitate a public hearing and include a period of advertising in local newspapers.
According to Phyllis Wimbrow, deputy director of Worcester County Development Review and Permitting, the only application the county has received related to the property is a rezoning application.
Wimbrow said a meeting with the county planning commission was tentatively set for Jan. 5, but that meeting was postponed at the request of the applicant, Ayres Creek Family Farm LLC. The meeting has not been rescheduled and will not occur until Wimbrow receives notice from the applicant.
“No applications of any kind relative to a campground on the property have been submitted to this department and, in fact, would be very premature, as the use is not permitted under the site’s existing zoning classification,” Wimbrow said.
“The existing E-1 estate district zoning classification allows single-family dwellings and a number of agricultural uses. It does not allow campgrounds.
“The requested A-2 agricultural district zoning permits a wide variety of agricultural uses as well as other compatible uses such as campgrounds. In order to obtain a permit for a campground in the A-2 agricultural district, the property owner would have to be granted a special exception by the board of zoning appeals as well as site plan approval from the planning commission. However, neither approval can be sought unless the property is rezoned to A-2 agricultural district,” she added.
Wimbrow said any rezoning application would be considered during a public meeting, but not a public hearing.
“It does not require public notice or the taking of public comments,” she said. “The planning commission can choose to take comments, but is not required to do so. Once the planning commission has made a recommendation to either approve or deny a rezoning request, that recommendation is submitted in writing to the county commissioners for that body’s review.
“At that time a public hearing is scheduled, all adjoining property owners are notified by mail, a legal ad is run in the newspaper for two weeks, and a legal notice is posted on the property. It is at the county commissioners’ public hearing that public comment is taken.”