The Baileyton Planning Commission unanimously recommended the town adopt a new ordinance involving campgrounds and RV parks on Wednesday night at Baileyton Town Hall. The ordinance requires two readings by the Baileyton Board of Mayor and Aldermen and a public hearing before taking effect.
Baileyton Mayor Jamie Tilson said the purpose of the new ordinance was to modernize the town’s campground ordinance, and to bring the town’s current ordinance, which is not more than a few sentences, “into the 21st century.”
The ordinance would define several terms, including delineating that a short-term campground is a site where campers stay for no more than seven nights, while a long-term campground would allow stays of eight nights or more. However, the ordinance would not place differing regulations on the two types of campgrounds, it serves only to define them at this point according to officials.
The ordinance also stipulates that campgrounds would be permitted in R-2 zones or higher, and that new campgrounds will be required to submit a site plan to the Baileyton Planning Commission and comply with state and local regulations. Existing campgrounds would be grandfathered in under the ordinance, and would not fall under the new ordinance unless expanding.
In addition, the ordinance would allow for property owners to camp on their own vacant property for up to 60 days in a continuous 12-month period, and up to 30 days in a six-month period on their own improved property, such as a property that includes a residence. Only one camping unit would be permitted, and a camping permit could be required in certain cases, such as large gatherings with more than one camping unit on a property.
Violation of provisions of the ordinance would result in a fine of no less than $2 but no more than $50. Each day a violation exists would be considered a separate violation.
“It’s basically updating what we already had,” Tilson said of the ordinance.
The ordinance will be considered on first reading at the Baileyton Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at Baileyton Town Hall, 6530 Horton Highway. If approved on first reading, the ordinance will be considered on final reading and a public hearing will be held on the matter during the Feb. 10 meeting of the Baileyton Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
