The Future of the Endless Caverns Community? Area Threatened by Massive Development



Residents, Officials Criticize Proposal
2/14/07, Washington Post

Addition Or Subtraction?
Special Meeting Takes Up Endless Caverns Special-Use Permit
1/17/07, DNR Online

Two mega developers* are using loopholes in the very dated Rockingham County campground ordinance to try to create a massive RV and theme park on 260 acres at historic Endless Caverns, near New Market. The area is very rural, surrounded by working farms and low impact tourist amenities, like B&Bs and a pottery studio.

Like most Virginia localities, Rockingham County, defines a campground very loosely with no distinction between low impact tent campsites and a full service RV park with water and sewer hook-ups. Campgrounds are permitted in any area zoned for agriculture.

The Endless Caverns developers claim the dated ordinance means they can build a 450-unit RV park with very little site review and no limit on size. (They've asked for a special use permit to build a water slide park, mini-golf, amphitheater with 1,000 parking spaces and moonshine museum.)

Happily, Rockingham officials are starting to question the developers' assumptions about the RV park. The zoning administrator last week sent out a call for good campground and RV ordinances the county could adapt. SVN called on planner John Hutchison to develop this new ordinance, which makes a clear distinction between low impact camping compatible with farming and other rural land uses, and high density commercial resort development.


* The Silver Co. from Fredericksburg and Burroughs Co. from Myrtle Beach, who specialize in enormous commercial retail and recreation parks.

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Join the campaign to keep from turning Rockingham County into another Myrtle Beach. Any contribution large or small will help us make sure your voice is heard! All gifts are tax deductible.

To Donate Online: go to our fiscal agent, Piedmont Environmental Council. Use the Designated Gift box to indicate your gift is for "SVN-Rockingham" and ensure it is banked in the right account.

To Donate By Mail: make your check out to Shenandoah Valley Network and put "SVN-Rockingham" in the memo line, again to ensure credit for your gift for the Endless Caverns campaign. Send to: 5618 Rock Hill Mill Road, The Plains, VA, 20198-1864


Community Alliance for Preservation (CAP)

CAP was formed in 1999 by citizens in the southeast portion of Rockingham County, when they learned that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and county officials wanted to build a loop road east of I-81. The road would open the county’s core agricultural reserve and historic battlefields to development, in direct conflict with the county’s comprehensive plan.

CAP expanded its membership countywide and successfully forced VDOT and county officials to permit citizen involvement in the loop road and all other road planning. CAP also is involved in a second regional road planning effort, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham MPO, which has also recommended road projects that don’t make sense in terms of traffic needs or cost.

Road issues naturally led CAP members to get involved in land use issues, notably the revision of the Rockingham county comprehensive plan, approved in 2004, and in special planning for the town of McGaheysville. More on the CAP website

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CORRECTION
Our ad in the Harrisonburg Daily News Record January 13th incorrectly stated that developers wanted to build 450 RV sites at Endless Caverns. The correct number is 380 RV sites.

More Information

Flier
Details from the CAP website
Endless Caverns Sewage Permit Application (PDF, in nine parts):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Contact CAP
Kim Sandum, President
P.O. Box 147
Penn Laird, VA 22846
CAP Website

Resources
CAP Comments on draft Transportation Plan (PDF)

Useful Links
Rockingham Board of Supervisors
Daily News Record
Rockingham County Government