Small scale campgrounds are now permitted and recreational vehicles can be used as seasonal dwellings after changes were approved to the Isle Madame Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw.
During the regular monthly meeting and following a public hearing last night in Arichat, Richmond Municipal Council voted unanimously to make the amendments.
According to the Eastern District Planning Commission, they “received a number of complaints” about campgrounds, without permits, setting up around Grand Lake off the Grandique Road.
Last August, EDPC staff conducted site visits and identified six separate properties with multiple recreational campers located on a property.
EDPC staff were then asked by Richmond’s Planning Advisory Committee to examine the Isle Madame land use bylaw to make a distinction between a small private campground and a commercial campground.
Requirements for recreational vehicles to have coverings for all windows to reduce light pollution, as well as undercarriage skirting were removed from the land use bylaw, the EDPC noted.
Council decided that recreational vehicles used as a dwelling would be required to have on-site sewage disposal approval from the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the EDPC confirmed that the department does provide such approvals for holding tanks.
Council said there are significant recreational opportunities for residents to establish small campgrounds for family and friends and the province is experiencing a housing crisis.
As a result, small scale campgrounds of two to five camping units will be permitted within certain zones and the recreation vehicles that will be permitted as seasonal main or seasonal accessory dwellings will include travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, or park model recreational vehicles.
According to the new rules, each recreational vehicle will have to be at least 15 feet from all other buildings and recreational vehicles.