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Residents who live on CC Camp Road don’t want a campground going up nearby. One at a time, they spoke at Tuesday’s planning commission meeting, asking Prince Edward officials to reject the request for a special use permit for Camp Yellow Cardinal. 

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. 

“Disneyland didn’t drop down in the middle of a neighborhood,” said Williams Bordzuk. The CC Camp Road resident pointed out a campground pulling on their water supply could potentially affect water pressure for the surrounding homes. He also asked how Wilson would be able to guarantee that a drunk camper doesn’t stumble out onto somebody’s land or a camping group doesn’t keep the neighbors up all night with noise, when some of them have to go to work the next day. With the campground less than 100 feet from some property lines, Wilson’s response didn’t exactly ease concerns. 

“We plan on ample signage, letting guests know they’re approaching the edge of the property,” Wilson told planning commission members. He added that where appropriate, the company would also put up some wire fencing. 

Yellow Cardinal divided into two parts

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. 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 $285 per night. 

“The aim here is to offer quiet comfort in the heart of nature,” Wilson told commission members, 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. 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. Wilson said 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. 

What happens next?

Planning commission members said the project met all of their criteria. By a unanimous vote, the commission recommended approval and sent it to supervisors. Prince Edward supervisors will take it up on Tuesday, Feb. 11.