Campground, turkey houses voted on
Published 4:14 pm Friday, October 26, 2018
Members on the Buckingham County Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of a proposed campground in the area of Willow Creek Road and recommend approval of two proposed turkey houses at Route 622, Sharon Church Road, in the northern portion of the county Monday.
The projects are expected to be considered by the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors.
The Buckingham Planning Commission voted 6-0 to deny recommendation of the 20-unit campground in the area of Willow Lake Road, due to the applicant being unavailable to answer questions given by audience members and commission members during the September and October commission meetings.
“The applicant for the campground was not present last night. He indicated to me by phone last week that he was planning to withdraw that application, but I have not received that in writing,” Zoning/Planning Administrator Rebecca Cobb said in an email Tuesday. “Since we have not received anything the Planning Commission decided to take action and voted to recommend denial of the campground. 6-0 with (Chet) Maxey and (Vice Chair Royce) Charlton absent.”
Applicant Joel Steinruck requested a rezoning for the 114.86-acre property from Agriculture-1 (A-1) to Agriculture Comprehensive (AC-1) for the purpose of operating turkey houses.
“The rezoning to Agriculture Comprehensive for turkey houses was recommended for approval with a 6-0 vote,” Cobb said.
“The application indicates that he will have approximately 30,000 turkeys and will be able to meet the ordinance setback requirements,” the planning commission board packet cited.
There are seven conditions for the project that include that the turkey houses comply with federal, state and local regulations as well as obtain a Nutrient Management Plan along with an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan before installing the facility.
The turkey houses, according to the applicant in the meeting board packet, will be 63 feet by 704 feet. Each house would contain approximately 15,000 birds, the packet cited. The operation of the houses will be family-run.
