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Plans for a campground on CC Camp Road will move forward, after Prince Edward supervisors signed off on Camp Yellow Cardinal this week. County staff say it won’t have a major impact on traffic or noise in the area. Nearby residents still have some concerns, however.

The issue here involves a project put together by Cardinal’s Roost LLC, located on the south side of CC Camp Road, almost a half mile from its intersection with Virso Road. Camp Yellow Cardinal would be a 24.52 acre glamping business (that’s short for glamorous camping), with a total of 12 campsites at full buildout. And while nearby residents heard Cardinal owner Kevin Wilson say he wanted to be a good neighbor at Tuesday’s hearing, they argued there’s a lot he can’t control. It’s made worse, they point out, by the fact this campground would be around their neighborhood, instead of out in the wilderness. 

“The road is narrow, with lots of blind spots,” said Dr. Quincy Handy. He serves on Prince Edward’s Industrial Development Authority and is a resident of New Bethel Road, near the planned campground. 

He asked Kevin Wilson if Cardinal’s Roost would be paying for any road improvements, being told that wasn’t currently in the group’s plans. Handy also pointed out there’s a good chance that families living near the campground will be able to hear every conversation, argument or general activity outdoors. 

“At night in that particular area, sound travels quite a distance,” Handy said, pointing out that on some nights, he can hear all the way to Highway 360. “I do not want to hear the conversations.” 

His comments echo concerns raised during the planning commission meeting earlier this year. In addition to noise, residents had been worried that a drunk camper might stumble out onto someone’s property or a camping group, out celebrating, might keep the neighbors up all night with noise, as the campground is less than 100 feet from some property lines.
Wilson has explained, both at the planning commission meeting and then again on Tuesday, that he will put up signs, letting guests know they’re approaching the edge of the property. He added that where appropriate, the company would also put up some wire fencing. 

Splitting Camp Yellow Cardinal in two

The project would be split in two phases. Phase one would involve six campsites being built out, along with a central bathhouse, a communal pavilion and small camp store, along with a 16 car parking lot and utilities. In phase two, the campground would add the final six campsites, along with a second bathhouse and some amenities like a barrel sauna. Wilson said on Tuesday that he doesn’t plan to expand beyond 12 total campsites. 

The current goal would be to start phase one this year, with phase two complete by 2027. Each of the campsites would have a 19 ft. diameter geodesic domes, which would take the place of a tent. Each dome would have a king-sized bed, kitchenette, wood stove and hot tub, atop a 25 x 25 wood deck. This would be set up at a price point of between $285 to $350 per night. 

“The aim here is to offer quiet comfort in the heart of nature,” Wilson told supervisors, adding that “it’s designed to give people a chance to relax, recharge and experience everything Prince Edward County has to offer.” 

The front third of the property would be left undeveloped, with the goal of adding more evergreen trees to put something of a buffer between the campground and neighbors in the area. Also for the most part, this would be a vehicle free area, outside of the parking lot. 

“We will not accommodate RVs or campers. No ATVs, dirt bikes or mopeds,” Wilson told supervisors. “Really the only vehicles that would be permitted beyond the parking lot will be fire and police.” 

Some more rules added to the list 

Wilson also said the campground would restrict alcohol to a person’s campsite, while also enforcing quiet hours from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Supervisors required that be changed to 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and Wilson agreed. 

He also explained that remote noise monitors would be installed throughout the property, so management can respond quickly if noise levels exceed those required by the county’s noise ordinance. The project owner was asked if he had talked with the sheriff’s department yet and he said no, but he plans to as this moves forward.  

“I haven’t met with the sheriff’s department yet, but as we really dig into this, I’ll be sitting down with everybody,” Wilson told supervisors, adding that he wants to make it easy to find people, once they’re on the property. “The last thing I want is for my guests to be 1500 feet back in the woods having a heart attack and nobody can find them.”

Prince Edward County Planner Robert Love said that staff also approved the project, as something that would have little to no impact. 

“County staff is of the opinion that the use will not generate major impacts as far as traffic and noise,” Love told supervisors. 

 

Supervisors unanimously agreed, voting to approve the special use permit for the project.